The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-03-08


The CArLIN GALLERY. The correspond
ent OF the Journal OF Commerce gives the follow
ing account OF the debate in the Senate on the
proposition to appropriate 100000 Tor the pur-
chase Of Catlin's Indian gallery. 1t tailed by
two majority:
Mr.. Dayton moved an item of $4,000 for the
purchase of the collection of Indian relics, me-
MORALS and curiosIties possessed by Mr. Caln.-
Somebody ought to possess them in this county.
Those people left no written records, and all &C
counts OF them are passing away. They are
racs going irto iorgetulness, and they will be an
object OF great curiosity to the world, and espec.
tally to the American world.
long debate took place on the general sub
Ject OF making the Government the owner of
such collections those, however valuable in
the ar-s, sciences or in history. The National
Institute, it said, ought to make such coIlec-
tions. The incoming administration, it was said,
would have no means in the treasury for these
extravaganza appropriations.
On the other side it was said that the outgoing
administration had not lett the country SO entire
ly bankrupt as to render US unable to pay $4,000
a year.
What was the value OF the investigation OF the
Dead Sea and the North Pole, In which we had
expended million or more, in comparison with
the acquisition of memorials of people nearer TO
us, whose lands we till, and over whose obscure
graves we trample every day. The chief oppo-
siton was from Mr.. Hunter, and upon the ground
OF want Of constitutional power, and also the gem
eral ground that the arts will flourish if left to
private enterprise, better than il promoted by the
Government.
This Government certainly brought about the
extinction OF the aborgnes and ii is rather hard
for the Government also to neglect and obliterate
their remnants. Moreover, this Government
has taken sole charge of the Indian nations, and
has recognized their duty to endeavor to promote
the welfare OF the remnant OF their race, and
even to perpetuate the memory of their prede-
cessors.
twas stated that Captain in the army was
prepared to make a collection as large as that of
Mr.. Catlin-Capt. Eastman. The friends of the
measure said they would like to extend the COL
lection by taking Capt. Eastman's also.
Some of the tribes represented in Catlin's col.
lection have been entirely swept away by small
pox, war and penury.
Mr.. Webster and Mr.. Butler, in their remarks,
gave striking recollections of Indian chiefs who
have visited this city, in connection with efforts
to preserve portraits OF them in the Indian bu-
reau.
The Government at one time allowed an an
nual sum for the full length portraits of chiefs.
They were very much pleased at it. At length
the Government, In fit of economy, reduced the
allowance from 500 to $50 for each portrait
The artist, accordingly, took only half the man.
One stout Indian came, and finding that the ar
list was not going to take him at full length, ex-
claimed, "legs and all, or nothing.''
Another chief came after government had stop
ped the whole expense, and could not be painted
at all. He saw Black Hawk and Keokuck, and
said: "Keokuck's son come here he see his
father and know him. My son come here and he
not see his father. Now hang up my moccasins
here, and my son come here, he know his ia
theirs moccasins''
Mr.. Butler mentioned that Osceola denied and
repudlated his likeness, and pronounced it a lie
He had agreed to sit for his portrait in Charles
ton ii he was to be represented truly. After the
picture was finished, Osceola said, is that all >
Yes, was the reply. "Then it is a Cheat said
the captive chief; there should be white flag
over me, for was taken under flag OF truce -