Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-12-15


provements by being brought into competition with
more wealthy class of purchasers ut the land
sales.
The attention Of Congress was invited. at their
last and the preceding session. to the importance of
establishing Territorial government, over cur pos
sessions IN Oregon and II is be regretted that there
was no Legislation the subject Our citizens
VINO inhabt that distant region Nf country are still
lett without the protection VI laws, any reg-
ularly organized government Before the question
oil limits and boundaries of the territory of OREGON
was definitely settled from the necessity OF their
condition, the inhabitants had established tempo
rary government of their own. Besides the want
OF legal authority for continuing such government
1t is wholly inadequate to protect them in their
rights of person and property, TO secure to them
che enjoyment of the privileges of other citizens,
to which they entitled under the constitution of
the United States. They should have the right of
suffrage, be represented in Territorial legislature
anu by delegate IN Congress and possess all tho
rights and privileges which citizens of other por-
tions of the Territories of the United States have
heretofore enjoyed, or may now enjoy.
Our judicial system, revenue laws. laws rogula-
ting 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 territory
who had previously emigratcd 10 it. large numbers
of our citizens have followed them during the pre-
sent year and it is not doubted that during the
next and subsequent years their numbers will be
greatly increased.
Congress, nj It's last session. established post
routes leading to Oregon, ana between different
points within that territory, and authorized the cs-
enlistment Of post offices at ''Astoria and such o.
thor places on the coasts of the Pacific. within the
territory OF the United States rs the public inter
ests may require" Post offices have accordingly
been established, deputy postmastcrs appointed and
provision made for the transportation of the mails
The preservation Of peace with the Indian tribes
residing west of the Rocky mountains will render
It proper that authority should be given by law for
the appointment of an adequate number of Indian
agents to reside among them.
recommend that survey generals Office be
established in that territory, and that the public
lands be surveyed and brought 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 emigratc, 10 Oregon and settle upon them.
These hardy aud adventurous citizens, who have
encountered the dangers and pIirations of long
and tosome journey, and have at length found an
abiding place for themselves and their families up
on the utmost verge of our western limits should
be secured in the homes which they have improv-
ed by their labor.
refer You 10 The accompanying report of the Sc
cTetary Of War for detailed account Of the opera
tions of the various branches of the public service
The duties devolving this department have been
unusually onerous and responsible during the past
year, and have been discharged with ability and
success.
Pacific relations continue to exist with the vari-
GUS Indian tribes, and most Of them manifest
strong friendship for the United States. Some de-
predations were committed during the past year
upon our trains transporting supplies for the army
on the road between the western border of Nilsson
ri and Santa Fee. These deprcdations, which are
supposed 20 have been committed by bands from
the region of New Mexico have been arrested by
the presence OF a military force, ordered out for
that purpose Some ouragcs have been pcrpctra
ed by portion OF the northwestern bands upon the
weaker and comparatively defenceess neighborinr
tribes. Prompt measures were taken to prevent
such occurrences in future.
Between one and two thousand Indiang belong
ing to several tribes have been removed during the
year. from the east of the Mississippi to the coun-
try allotted to them west Of that river as their per-
manent home; and arrangements have been made
for others to follow.
Since the treaty of 1916. with the Cherokees.
the feuds among them appear to have subsidized and
they have become more united and cOnicnted than
they have been for many years past. The com
mssioners, appointed in pursuance of the act of
June twenty seventh. 1916, to settle claims arising
under the treaty OF 1886 with that tribe have
executed their duties; and after patient investi-
cation, and full and fair examination of all the
cases brought before them, closed their abors in
the month of July last This is the fourth board
of commissioners which has been Organized under
this treaty Ample opportunity has been afforded
TO all those interested to bring forward their claims
No doubt is entertained that impartial Justice has
been done by the late board, and that all valid
claims embraced by the treaty have been consider
ed and allowed. This result, and the final settle
ment to be made with this tribe, under the treaty
of 1916, which will be completed and laid before
you during your session, will adjust all questions
Of controversy between them and the United
States and produce state OF relations with them
simple, well Defined and satisfactory.
Under the discretionary authority conferred by
the act Of the third of March last the annuities
due to tho various tribes have been paid during the
present year to the heads Of families instead of to
their chiefs, or such persons they might desig-
nato, as required by tho laws previously existing
This mode Of payment has given general satisfac-
ton 10 the great body Of the Indians. Justice has
been done to them, and they are grateful to the
government for it. A few chiefs and interested
persons may object to this molc Of payment but it
is believed to be the only mode of preventing fraud
and imposition from being practised upon the great
body OF common Indians, constituting Il majority
of all the tribes.
1t is gratifying to perceive that number Of the
tribes have recently manifested an increased in
terest In the establishment of schools among them
and are making rapid advances in agriculture
some of them producing sufficient quantity of
food for their support and in some cases surplus
to dispose OF to their neighbOrs. The comforts by
which those who have received even very limi-
ted education. and have engaged in agriculture
are surrounded, tend gradually 10 draw Off their
less civilized brethren from the precarious means
OF subsistence by the chase. to habits Of labor and
civilization.
The accompanying report Of the Secretary of
the Navy presents satisfactory and gratifying ac-
count of the condition and operations of tho naval