Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-15


eminent over our possessions in Oregon;
and it is to be regretted that there was no
legislation on the subject. Our citizens
who inhabit that distant region Of country,
are still without the protec Jon Of our laws,
or any organized government.
Before the question Of limits and boun-
daries, of the territory Of Oregon was def
nitely settled, from the necessity Of their
condition, the inhabitants had established
temporary government Of their own. Be-
sides the want Of legal authority for con. =,
tinuing such government; it is not only
inadequate TO protect them in their rights Of
property and person, or to secure tofhem
the enjoyment of the privileges Of other
citizens, to which either are entitled under
the Constitution Of the United Stntes.-
They should have the right Of suffrage, be
represented in a territorial Legislature, and
by delegate in Congress, and possess all :
the rights and privileges which citizens Of
other portions Of the territories Of the Uni.
ted Stntes have heretofore enjoyed or may
now enjoy. -
Our Judicial system, revenue laws, laws
regulating trade and intercourse with the
Indian tribes, and the protection Of our
laws generally, should be extended over
them.
In addition to the inhabitants in that ter.
ritory who had previously emigrated 10 il,
large numbers of our citizens have follow
ed them during the present year, and il 10
not doubted that during the next and sub
sequent years their numbers will be greatly
increased. -.
/ Congress, at its last session.. established
Post Routes leading to Oregon, end between
different points within that territory, and
authorized the establishment of Post Offices
at Astoria, and at such other places on the
coast of the Pacific, within the territory Of
the United States, as the public interests
may require. Post Offices have according
ly been established, Deputy Post Masters
appointed, and provisions made for the
transportation of the mails. -.,:-.,.
The preservation of peace with the In.
dian tribes, residing west of the Rocky
mountains will render it proper that author
ity should be given by law for the appoint-
ment Of an adequate number of Indian A.
gents to reside among them. .e...,...
recommend that Surveyor Generals
Office be established in that territory, and
that the public lands be surveyed and bro't
into market at an early period. ,-...
recommend, also, that grants, upon
liberal terms Of limited quantities, Of the
public lands be made to all citizens Of the
United States who have emigrated, or may
hereafter within prescribed period emf
CRATE to Oregon and settle upon the land.
These hardy and adventurous citizens, who
have encountered the dangers and priya-
tions of a long and toilsome journey, and
have at length found On abiding place for
themselves and families upon the utmost
verge Of our Western limits, should be Sc.
cured in their homes which they have i'm.
proved by their labor. -. -.,,
refer you to the accompanying Report
Of the Secretary of War for deiniled &C.
count Of the operations OF the various
branches of the public service connected
with the department under his charge
The duties devolving on this department.
have been unusually onerous and RESPONSE.
BILE during the past year, and have been
discharged with ability and success t-,-
Pacific relations continue TO exist with
the various Indian tribes, and most Of them
manifest strong friendship for the United
States-some depredations were committed
during the past year upon our trains trans
porting supplies for the army on the road
between. the western border of Missouri and
Santa Fe. Those dcpredations, which are
supposed to have been committed by bands
from the region of New Mexico, have been
arrested by the presence of military force
ordered out for that purpose. Some outra.
ges have been perpetrated by portion ofthe
Northwestern bands upon the weaker
and comparatively defenceless neighboring
tribes. Prompt measures were taken to
prevent such occurrences in future.
Between one and two thousand Indians.
belonging to. several tribes, have been re-
moved, during the year, from the east of the
Mississippi to the country allowed to them,
west of that river, as their permanent
home, and arrangements have been made
for others to follow. -.
Since the treaty Of 1646 with the Cher.
okees, the feuds among them appeared to
have subsided, and they have become more
united and contented since than they have
been for years past. The Commissioners
appointed in pursuance Of the Act Of June
9th, 1916, to settle claims arising under
the treaty Of 1885, with that tribe, have
executed their duties and after patient
investigation and a full and fair examina.
ton of oil the cases brought before them,
closed their labors in the month Of July.
last. n. .e ga. .as. as.
This is the fourth board Of Commission.
ers which has been organized under this
treaty. Ample opportunity has been affor-
ded to all those interested to bring forward
their claims. No doubt is entertained thar
impartial justice has been done by the board,
and that all valid claims embraced by the
treaty, have been considered and altered.
This allowed and the final settlement to be
made with this tribe under the treaty Of
l846, which will be completed and laid be.
fore your session-will adjust all questions
of controversy between them and the Uni.
ted States, and produce state of relations
with them, simple, we'll defined and salts.
factory. fiss leai
Under the discretionary authority CON.
ferred by the net of the Sd Of March last.
the annuities due to the various tribes have
been paid during the present year to the
heads of families, instead otto their chiefs.
or such persons as they might designate, as
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