The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-21

teITHoTili government over our possessions
in Oregon, and il is to bo regretted ,ha,
there was 40 legislation upon the subject.
Our citizens, WIN inhabit that distant re-
sicn of country. arc still left without the
protection al our laws or any regular or
ranizcd government. Before the question
II the limits and boundaries OF tho Terrific
~ Of Oregon was definitely settled, from
the necessity Of their condition, the ci,i-
zcns Of that Territory had erected tempo.
rary government of their own. Besides
the wnnt Of legal authority for continuing
such government, It Is wholly inadequate
to protect them in their rights Of person
and property, or to secure TO them tho
privileges aud enjoyments Of other citizens,
TO which either are entitled under the Con-
s.itu,ion Of the U. S. They should have
the right OF suilrogc-bc represented in q
territorial legislature, aud BY delegate in
Congress. possess the rights and privileges
which citizens of the u. S. have heretofore
enjoyed, or may now enjoy. Our Judicial
system, revenue, laws regarding trade aud
intercourse with the lndian tribes, and tho
protection Of our laws generally, should be
extended over them.
In addition to the inhabitants Of tina, ter
rltory who had previously cmigrntcd to il,
large numbers o( our citizens have follow.
cd them during the present year, aud il is
not doubted tha, during tho next year, their
numbers will be greatly increased. Con.
gress, at its last session, established post
routes leading 10 Oregon aud between dif.
lercnt points within that territory, and au-
thorizcd the establishment Of post offices nj
Astoria. and such other places on the coas,
OF the Pacific, within the territory Of the L.
s., as the public interest may require
Post offices have accordingly been cstlb-
lishcd, deputy pos;mns,ers appointed, md
provision made for the transportation Of the
mails.
The preservation OF peace with the lndi
nh tribes residing west of tho Rocky Noun
tnns will render il proper, that authority
should he given BY law for the appointment
Of an adequate number OF Indian agents to
reside among them.
recommend that Surveyor Generals
Office he established in that territory, and
that the public lands be surveyed aud
brought into market nj an early period.
recommend also. that grants upon lib
crcl terms, Of limited quantities Of the pub
lie lands, be made 10 all citizens Of tho L.
5. who have emigra,cd, Or may hereafter,
within prescribed pcrio.l, cmigrate to Or.
cgon and settle upon the land
These hardy and adventurous citizens.
who have encountered the dangers and
priva,ions Of n long aud tircsomc journey,
and have nj length found m abiding place
for themselves aud their families upon the
utmost verge Of our western limits, should
he secured in The homes which they i'm
proved by their labor.
refer You TO the accompanying report
Of the Secretary of War lar "a detailed nc
count of the operations al the various bran
ches Of the public service connected with
the department under his charge. The du-
ties devol,ing on his department, have hecn
unusually uncrous and responsible durin.
the past season, md hive Lcen discharged
with ABILITY mud success.
Pacific relations exist with the various
Indian tribes, md most oi' them manifest
strong friendship for the L. 5. Some dep
relations were committed during the past
year upon our traders transporting supplies
for our army on the read between the wes-
tern border OF Missouri md Santa Fc.-
These dcpredations, which are supposed To
have been committed by Lordcs from the
regions of New Mexico, have been arrest
cd BY The presence Of n Military force, or
dercd out for that purpose. Some outrages
have been pcrpclrntcd by portions Of the
North Western bands upon their weaker
md comparatively dciencelcss ncighboring
tribes. Prompt measures have been taken
to prevent such occurrences in future.
Between ono aud two thousand Indians
have been removed during the year from
the east Of the Mississippi, TO the countries
allotted to them, west Of that river, ms thoir
permanent home. Arrangements have
been made for others 10 follow.
Since the treaty Of 1915 with the Cher
olsces, tho feuds among them appear to
have subsidized, and they have become more
united and conlcntcd than they have been
for many years past. The commissioners
appointed, in pursuance oil tho act Of June
22d, 1916, to settle the claims arising un-
der the treaties Of 1916 and 1916, with
that tribe, hive executed their duties, and
after patient investigation, and full and
fair examination Of all tho cases brought
before them, closed their Iabors in the
month Of July last. This is the fourth
board Of commissioners who have been or
ganizcd under this treaty. Ample oppor-
iunity h,s been offered, 10 all those inter-
cs,cd 70 bring forward their claims. No
doubt is entertained that impartial Justice
has been done by the board, and that valid
claims, embraced by tho treaty, have been
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