Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-12-10

price prescribed Oy the existing laws, and II has
been found that they will not command that price,
they must remain unsod thirty years, and uncultiva
ted for an indefinite PERIOD unless the price demand
ed by the government shall be reduced.
II No satisfactory reason is perceived why they should
be longer held at rates above their real value. At
this period additional reason exists fof adopting
the measure recommended When the country is en-
gagged IN foreign war, and we must necessarily re-
sort to loans, 1t would be the dictate of
dom, that we should avail ourselves of all resonr
ces and thus limit the amount Of the public indebted
ness to the lowest possible sum-
recommend that the existing laws the subject
OF presumption rights be amended so as to operate
prospectvey, and TO embrace all who may settle upon
the public lands, and make Improvements upon them
before they are surveyed, we'll afterwards in all
cases where such settlements may be made after the
Indian title shall have been extinguished.
If the right of presumption is thus extended it will
embrace large and mertnrious class of citizens
IL will increase the number Of small freeholds upon
our borders who will be enabled thereby to educate
their children and otherwise improve their condition.
while they will be always found in the hour of danger
to country among the best of our volunteer SOL
ders, ready TO tender their services in cases of
emergency, and the last to leave the field as long as
an enemy remains to be encountered. Such policy
will also impress those pioneer emgrants with deeper
feelings of gratitude for the parental care of interests
secured to them by the permanent laws of the land,
and that they longer in danger of losing their
houses and hard-earned improvements, by being
brought into competition with more wealthy class
of purchasers at the land sales.
The attention of Congress was invited at their last
and is again at the present session. to the importance
of establishing territorial government in Oregon
and 1t Is to be regretted that there was legislation
upon the subject Our citizens who inhabit that dis
tant region of country still left without the pro-
lection OF our laws, or any regularly organized gov
eminent. Before the question of the limits and
boundaries of the territory of Oregon was definitely
settled, from the necessity Of their condition the cit
zens of that territory had erected temporary gov
eminent of their own. Besides the want of legal
authority for continuing such a government, it is
wholly inadequate to protect them in their rights of
person and property, or to TO them the prv-
eges and enoyments of other citizens to which they
are entitled under the constitution CT the United
States They should have the right Of suffrage, be
represented in territorial Legislature, and by dele
gate IN Congress- possess the rights and privileges
that citizens of the United States have heretofore
jOyed or may now enjoy; our judicial system, reve-
laws regarding trade and intercourse with the
Indian tribes and the protection of laws generally
should be extended over them.
In addition to inhabitants of the territory who had
previously emgrated to it, large numbers of our citi
have followed them during the present year, and
is not doubted that during the year their
bers will be greatly increased.
Congress, at It's last session. established post routes
leading to Oregon and between different points with
in that territory and authorized the establishment of
post Offices at Astoria, and such other places on the
coast of the Pacific within the territory of the United
States, the public interest might require. Post
offices have accordingly heen established deputy post
masters have been appointed, and provision made for
the transportation of the mail.
The preservation of peace with the Indian tribes
residing west of the Rocky Mountains will render it
proper that authority should be gven by law for the
appointment of adequate number Of Indian agents
to reside among them.
recommend that a surveyor generals office be es-
tabshed in that territory and that the public lands
be surveyed and brought into market at early Pc
rod.
| recommend, also, that grants, upon liberal TERMS
of limited quantities of the public lands, be made
all citizens of the United States, who have emigrated
or may hereafter, within prescribed period, emf
CRATE to Oregon and settle upon the lands.
If those hardy and adventurous citizens, who have
encountered the dangers and privations of long and
toilsome journey, and have at length found abid
ing place for themselves and their families upon the
utmost verge of our western limits they should be
secured In the homes which Their have improved by
their labor
l refer you to the accompanying report of the Sc
cretary of War, for detailed account of the opera
tions of the various branches of the public service
connected with the department under his charge The
duties devolvng on his department have been unus-
uauy onerous and responsible, during the past sea-
son. and have been discharged with ability and sue
cess.
Pacific relations exist with all the various Indian
tribes, and most of them manifest strong friendship
for US Some depredations were committed during
the past year upon trains, transporting supplies
for army the road between the western border
of Missouri and Santa Fe. These depredations,
which we supposed to have been committed by the
hordes from the region of New Mexico, have been
rested by the presence of military force ordered out
for that purpose. Some outrages have been perpe-
trated by portion of the northwestern bands, upon
the weaker and comparatively defenceess neighbor-
ing tribes. Prompt measures were taken TO prevent
such occurrences in future.
Between one and two thousand Indians have been
removed from east Of the Mississippi to the country
allowed to them west of the river, their perma-
nent home; arrangements have been made for others
to follow.
Since the treaty of Is46 with the Cheroees the feuds
among them appear have subsidized and they have become
united and conenled than they have been for many
past The commissioners appointed in pursuance Of
the Of June 80 1896 settle the claims arising under
the treaty Of S45 and S46 with that tribe have executed
their duties, and after patient Investigation and full! and
fair examination of the brought before them closed
their aboTs IN the month Of July last This tbs fourth
board Of commissioners which has been organized under this
treaty. Ample opportunity been offered all those
teresed to bring forward their claims No doubt is enter
and that valid claims embraced by the treaty have been
sdered and allowed The result and the final settlement
be made with this tribe under the treaty Of lS46, which will
be completed and laid before you during your session. will
adjust all questions Of controversy between hem and
duce Of relations Win them simple weI-deined and
satisfactory.
Under The discretionary power conferred by the of Sd
March last the annuties due the tribes have been
paid during the present year, the heads Of families, in
stead Of their Chiefs TO persons they might desig
nate except by the laws previously existing This mode
Of payment has given general satisfaction 10 the great body