The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-16
By A. G. Chadwick.
Presidents Message,
rConcluded.l

=" mike satisfaction for the 'unliquidRted
claims" our citizens against Mexico, TO an
omount not exceeding three and a quarter
billions of dollars, the subject is again recon-
mended to your favorable consideration.
The exchange of notifications Of the treaty
with Mexico took place on the Both of May,
1913. Within one year after that time, the
commissioner and surveyor which each Gov
crnment stpulAtes TO appoint, are required to
meet Sat the port of San Diego, and proceed
to run and mark the said boundary in its
whole course TO the mouth of the Rio Bravo
del Norte' 1t will be seen from this provis-
ion, that the period within which a commits.
soner and surveyor of the respective govern
ments are to meet at San Diego, will expire
on the 3Oth of May, lS49. Congress, at the
close of its last session, made an appropriation
for "the "expenses of running and marking the
boundary line" between the two countries, but
did not fix the amount of salary which should
be paid to the commissioner and surveyor &c
be appointed on the part of the United States
II is desirable that the amount of compensation
which they shall receive should be prescribed
by law, and n OF left, as al present, at Execu.
tive discretion.
Measures were adopted at the earliest prac-
ticable period to organize the 'Tcrrtoral gov
eminent of Oregon" as authorised on the 18th
ofAugust last The governor and marshal
of the Territory, accompanied by IL small mill
tary escort, left the frontier of Missouri in
September last, and took the southern route,
by the way ofSanta Fe and the river ella, to
California with the intention of proceeding
thence in one ofour vessels of war to their des-
tnation The governor was fully advised of
the great importance of his early arrival in the
country, and it is confidently believed he may
reach Oregon in the latter part of the present
month, or early in the next. The other oflic-
ers of the Territory have proceeded by sea.
In the month of May last, | communicated
information to Congress that an Indian war
had broken out in Oregon, and recommended
that authority be given to raise an adequate
number of volunteers to proceed without delay
to The assistance Of our fellow-citizens in that
Territory. The authority TO raise such force
not having been granted by Congress, as soon
istheir services could be dispensed with in
Mexico, orders were issued to the regiment of
mounted rifiemen TO proceed to Jefferson Bar
racks, in Missouri, and to prepare to march to
Oregon as soon as the necessary provision
could be made. Shortly before it was ready
TO march, it was arrested by the provision of
the act passed by Congress on the last day of
the last session, which directed that all the
,non- commissioned officers, mcsicians and pri.
,yates Of that regiment, who had been in serv
ice in Mexico, should, upon their application.
be entitled 10 be discharged. The effect of
this provision was to disband the rank and file
Of the regiment, and before their places could
be filled with recruits, the season had so far adj
vanced that it was impracticable for IL to pro-
coed until the opening of the next spring
In the month of October last, the accompa-
nying communication was received from the
governor of the temporary government OF Or
egon, giving information of the continuance
Of the Indian disturbances, and the destitution
and defenceless condition ofthe inhabitants
Orders were Immediately transmitted to the
commander of our squadron in the Pacific,
to despatch to their assistance part ofthe ma
val forces on that station, to furnish them with
armE and ammunition, and to continue to give
them such aid and protection as the navy
could afford, until the army could reach the
country.
1t is the policy of humanity, and one which
has always been pursued by the United States,
to cultivate the good will of the aboriginal
tribes of this continent, and to restrain them
from making war, and indulging in excuses,
by mild means, rather than by force. That
this could have been done with the tribes in
oregon, had that Territory been brought un-
der the government of our laws at an earlier
period, and had suitable measures been adopt
Gu oy Congress, such as now exist in our in
tercourse with the other Indian tribes within
our hm'ta, cannot be doubted Indeed, the
immediate and only cause of the existing hos
.lllty oil the Indians of Oregon is represented
10 nave been the long delay of the United
pl@tes IN making to them some triflng com
pehsat'on' in such articles they wanted for
'ne country now occupied by our cmigrants,
whch the Indians claimed, and over which
mey formerly roamed. This compensation
hau peen promised to them by the temporary
government established in Oregon, but its full
nlment had been postponed from time to time,
Tor nearly two years, while those who made it
rhad been anxiously waiting for Congress to
establish territorial government over the
country. ..
5the Indians became at length distrustful
o, their good faith, and sought redress by
= piunder and massacre. which finally led to the
present difficulties. A few thousand dollars,
IN presents, as compensation for the country
winch had been taken possession of by our
cHzens, would have satisfied the Indians, and
nave prevented the war small amount
property distributed, it is confidently believed.
would soon restore quiet. In this Jnnd;or NM
our fellow citizens in Oregon have lea oo,,
PEELED to take the field in their own defiance
have performed valuable military services. and
been subjected to expenses which have fallen
heavily upon them. Justice demands that
provision should be made by Congress to com.
.pensate them for their services, and to refund
10 them the necessary expenses which they
have incurred.
repeat the recommendation heretofore
made to Congress, tn at provision be, made FOL
'he appointment of suitable number of Indi
an agents to reside among the tribes of Ore
Agon, and that n small sum be appropriated t.
enable these agents to cultivate friendly rela
IONS s with them. If this be done, the presence
OF small military force. will be all that is nee
peace
i recommend that similar provision be made
as regards the tribes inhabiting northern Tex.
u.s. New Mexico, California, and the xtensive
legion lying between our settlements in Mis-.
s .ouri and these possessions, rs the most effec
Jn Se means of preserving peace upon our Dor.
-uCIS, ana within fha ~
RES ~" 80 - 10y 'efi''o
n Inc Secretary of the Treasury will present
no ms annual report highly satisfactory state
'"e IN, OF the condition of the finances. g. -r
on, ne imports for the fiscal year ending on the