Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1849-03-13
would take charge OF the sum or money
appropriated by Congress for their ex-

Ell d
would take charge Of the sum Of money
appropriated by Congress for their ex-
penscS2 %
Mr.. Atchison. Major Martel.
M. Butler. do'no, know the man.
~ Mr.. Alchison, Does the senator from
South Carolina object 10 placing this mon
ey in the hands Of this gentleman?
Mr.. Butler. No, sir, don't Object
merely said that did not know him.
Mr.. Atchison. Well, sir, the resolu-
,ion leaves it optional with the Secretary
OF War whether he will place this money
IN the hands Of the chiefs, or in the
hands Of this individual to take charge of,
to bear the expenses Of the chiefs on their
way home as far as the city Of Detroit.
Mr. Jones. M. president, my COL
league and myself have received letters
rccommendatory Of Major Martel from
gentlemen known TO be Of the highest re-
spectabiily, and upon whose dccIara-
tons the most implicit reliance can be
placed. Amongst others who have in
troduced him to us, by letter, refer
with pleasure to Captain James May, Of
Pitlsburg, Pennsylvania, we'll known also
to yourself, sir, as a gentleman OF vcrac-
i,y and of exalted character.
Major Martel was recommended to
Captain May by the Ri. Rev. Bishop Of
Cincinnati, to whom he was avouched for
by his parish priest at the Sault St. Ma
rie, Michigan, and by others upon whom
he could and did place entire confidence:
But, sir, whether this unimpor,anl charge
against Major Martel be true or not, and
whether coming highly recommended or
not, he is the man in whom these Chip
pewas repose confidence; and as they de-
sire that he should be continued to act
with and for them, as their special agent
or conductor, think that he should not
be superseded, but that he should be per
mitted to return with them in the same
capacity; that the money should bo p'uc-
ed in his or their own hands, and that they
may use it as they have OCCASION to pay
off the debts already contracted by them
in coming here, and TO defray their ex-
penses on their return home ward.
hope the resolution will pass as amend
ed.
Mr.. Atchison. A word as 10 the rea.
sons which induced the committee to a1,
thorizc the Secretary Of War to appoint
il special agent to accompany these Indi-
ans home. A Chippewa Indian, by the
name Of, belonging to one Of the
Canada bands Of Chippcwas, was here in
the city, and he wrote letter to the Com
missioner orIndian Affairs, that produced
some doubts as to the propriety Of intrus.
ting Murtcl with this money. As far as
the testimony Of the Chippewa chief goes
it amounts to about this: They tell us,
that while in Baltimore, Martel was treat
ed by some gentlemen Of that city, with
champagne and other rich wines; but MOI
being in the habit Of drinking anything
stronger than whiskey laughter he was
overcome by it. This is the tale they
tell me. On the day after his debauch
when the missionary (Mr. - Wis
tied them, Martel had the headache. ant
was sick, SO that he could not converse
with him. Now they say, in answer to
this, that they have learned, since they
have been in he city Of Washing ton, ,ha,
our great chiefs and councillors will taxi
q spree occasionally, and nothing is said
about it laughter They express the
utmost confidence in Martel, and say it i.
not common thing with him to be drunk
They say he is no drunkard; that Thu
think happened with him for ,hesGrst ant
only time in Baltimore. But, sir, les
there should be some truth in this matter
it is provided that the Secretary Of Wa
shall select some discreet person to &C
company them SO disburse this money.
Mr.. Felch, Of Michigan, testified TO tho
excellent reputation Of Mr.. Marte.
The resolution was finally adopted.
Mr.. Dodge, Of Iowa, introduced bill
for the relief Of Moses Meekcr and Davi
G. Bates, Referred.