The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-14

the amount oil Inc puOllc Indebtedness to
the lowest possible sum.
recommend that the existing laws on
the subject of presumption rig hts be amen
ded aud modified so as to operate pros
Pectivelv, and to embrace all who may set
tie upon the public lands and make i'm
Provements upon them before they are sur
! veyed, as wei! as afterwards; in all cases
where such settlements may be made af-
ter the Indian title shall have been exiting
uished.
1.-THE right ofpre-emption be thus extend
ed it will embrace large and meritorious
class of our citizens. 1t will increase thv
number of small freeholders upon our Dor
ders, who will be enabled thereby to edu-
| cate their children and otherwise improve
their condition, while they will be found
at all times as they have ever proved
| themselves to be, in the hour of danger to
their country, among the hardest and best
volunteer soldiers, ever ready to tender
their services in cases of emergency, and
among the last to leave the field as long as
an enemy remains to be encountered.
Such policy will also impress these pa
triotic emigrants with deeper feelings of
gratitude for the parental care of their
government, when they find their dearest
Interests secured to them by the perma-
nent laws of the land, and that they are no
longer in danger of loosing their homes
and hard-earned improvement by being
brought into competition with a more veal
thy class of purchasers at the land sales
The attention of Congress was invited at their
last and preceding session. TO the Importance of es
tablishng territorial government over Oregon ;
and 1t is 10 be regretted that there was no egisa-
non upon the subject Our citizens who inhabit
that far distant region of country are still left with
out the protection Of our laws, or any regularly
| organized government Before the question of
| limits and boundaries of Oregon was definitely
settled, from the necessity of their condition. the
inhabitants had established a temporary govern
ment of their own Besides the want of legal au-
thority for continuing such a government il is
wholly inadequate TO protect them in their rights
| OF person and property, or TO secure to them the
enjoyment of the privileges of other citizen, to
which they are entitled under the constitution of
| the United States. They should have the right
of suffrage be represented in territorial legisla-
ture, and by delegate in Congress and possess
all the rights and privileges which citizens Of other
| portions of the territories Of the United States
have heretofore enjoyed or may now enjoy.
Our judicial system, revenue laws, laws regula-
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 emigrated to it, large numbers
of our citizens have followed them during the
present year, and it is not doubted that during
the next and subsequent years, their numbers will
be greatly increased.
| of Ia,f boJ
routes leading to Oregon, and between different
points within that territory, and authorized the
adjustment OF post offices at "Astoria and such
other places the coast of the Pacific within the
territory of the United States the public inter
ests may require" Post offices have been cstab-
lished deputy pOstmasters appointed, and provis-
ions 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 oil
Indian agents to reside among them.
l recommend that a surveyor generals Office
be established in that territory and that the pub
lie lands be brought into market at an early peri
cd.
l 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 preScri
bed time emigrate to Oregon and settle upon
them. These hardy and adventurous citizens who
have encountered the dangers and privations Of {
long and tolsome journey and have at length
found an abiding place for themselves and theu
families upon the utmost verge of our western
limits, should be secured in the homes which they
have improved by their labor
| refer you to the accompanying report OF the
Secretary of War for detailed account of the OPP
pcratons of the various branches Of the publ,
service connected with the department under his
charge. The duties devolving upon this depart
ment have been unusually onerons and response
bic during the past year and have been discharged
with ability aud success.
Pacific relations continue to exist with the vari
Gus Indian tribes and most of them manifest 3
strong friendship for the United States Some
depredations were committed during the past yea
upon our trains Transporting supplies for the ar
: my, on the road between the western borders o.
Missouri and Santa Fe.
These depredations, which are supposed TO have
been committed by bands from the region o.
New Mexico, have been arrested by the presence
of military force, ordered ont for that purpose
Some outrages have been committed by portion
of the northwestern bands upon the weaker and
comaratively defenceless neighborng tribes
Prompt measures were taken 20 prevent such an
occurrence In future.
Between one and two thousand Indians, belong
ing to several tribes, have deem removed during
country allotted to them west of that river, as
their permanent home and arrangements have
been made for others TO follow.
Since the treaty of 1886 with the Cherokees, the
fcuds among them appear to have subsidized, and
they have become more united and contcnted than
they have been for many years past The COM
missioncrs appointed in pursuance of an act OF
June 9th, 1886, to settle claims arising under the
treaty of 1856 with that tribe, have executed
their duties and after patient investigation, and
full and fair examination of all the cases brought
before them, closed their labors in the month OF
July last.
This is the fourth board of commissioners which
has been organized under this treaty. Ample OPP
ortunirv has been afforded to all those interested
to bring forward their claims. No doubt IS enter
tanned that impartial justice has been done by the
late board and that all valid claims embraced by
the treaty have been considered and allowed
This result, and the final settlement to be made
with this, tribe, under the treaty OF 1886, which
will be completed and laid before you during your
session. will adjust all questions of controversy