The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-16

tary OF War But these entirely ignorant OF
The regulate OF The department of which the honorable
senator from Florida Mr. YULEE1 speaks They had to
them, most important business transact, and they did
not doubt their right Independent people to come
here TO make their grievances known. They selected
gentleman, related 10 them by the ties OF oonsan-
gulnity an intelligent, and, understand, respect
able man. TO act their guide and interpreter
Amidst difficulties of every sort, and without
they have worked their way here. They have visited
the President, the Secretary of War; and the Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs; have made known their wants
TO Them and also TO the Committees OF Indian Affairs in
both houses of Congress They now, sir, over
whelmed with debt, and know, from their peous ap
peas my colleague and myself that they in the ut
distress If this appropriation is not made Tor their
relief do not myself see what is become OF them.
Everywhere their mission was approved by all who be-
came acquainted with them, and everywhere they ex-
cited the best sympathies OF the human heart They
are portion of the ast-ading aborignes OF The west
They belong 10 that widely extended, and still numerous
tribe of Indians, the Chppewas The occasion is one,
seems TO me, in which every who has parti-
Gle of feeling should grant to these children OF
the forest this small plttance, and send them home
satisfied Their petition for land, and TO become citizens
has been presented by my friend from Michigan, Mr.
FELcH] but at too late day TO be acted al The pre-
sent session OF Congress. hope II will be favoraby
considered at the next.
Mr. HANNEGAN | would ask the senator from
Iowa if these Indians have not complained that they
deceived by the commissioners who treated with them last
and they understood that they would be compelled to
remove from their present places OF abode!
Mr.. DODGE of Iowa | cannot answer that question,
they have done so TO me- but they do omplan
that eight hundred half breeds allowed to par
tcipae the small yearly annuity But that, and other
like matters, have doubt will be promptly and prop
ery corrected by the present able and trust worthy Com
missioner OF Indian Affairs.
But, sir, if you 90 into calculation OF the mil
lions of Of land the valuable lead ana copper
mines, that you have acquired from these very tribes
specimens OF which minerals are to be seen at the War
Departnen-and then calculate the cost of these
pared with their value there would be fearful balance
against us. These Indians many thousands of
miles from their homes. Philanthropic gentlemen in
Pt,sbug Philadelphia and esew here have loaned them
sums of money TO enable them TO reach here. These
debts they wish 10 pay and to have money enough to
their way home Senators can form some idea of the
difficulties and hardships of their homeward journey,
when they are normed-as learn is the fact-that il
will take thirty days travel from Green Bay in Wscon-
sin, shoes for them to reach their villages
Mr.. YULEE | know nothing OF the particular merits
OF the claims of this delegation Of the Chippewa Indians,
and cannot, therefore, speak. They did not come to
Washington with the previous assent OF the depart nent
and understand they came in express violation OF rule
Mr. DODGE They were gnoran, Of that fact
Mr.. YuLEE That may be an excuse
Mr.. ArCHlSON. The department made estimate
of their expenses, and complain Of
Mr. DAYTON, (interposing) Will the senator per-
init me to ask him whether not that estimate covers
the expenses OF the Indians in coming to Washington.
Three thousand dollars the assumed by the Com
missioner, and the motion is made TO increase that
to six thousand dollars. Upon what is the motion pre-
dicated
Mr. ATCHISON Upon the representation of the In
dams themselves. have here letter from of the
chiefs, handed this morning, this subject, which
| ask may be read
The letter was sent TO the Secretary who read it, as
follows
Il Last Aypcai TO our Fathers in Committee Council
Fathersl We have already said to yon that we came
here beh al OF bands obtain grant OF land as
permanent home ioI them at their present villages ms
was our first great object and we hope II VIII soma dy be
done.
We have also told you that we have BEEN are
great expense, and have incurred heavy debts We
estimated these debts and the necessary to take
$1,000
We hear that father, the Commissioner has not
wants. We fear he has not calculated TOR the travel
from Green Bay. and the additional expenses at this season
Green Bay, beyond that point in interior now covered
with and which will remain thus frozen and covered
for two yet. We shall need many TIA
costing much money take ms no comfortably from that
place. the closest estimate which we can make brings
Whole OF debts, and expenses for gong home,
$500 Thus will allow us aboni 800 each Tor clothing
and soo each TO pay the deos OF oar families at home
pa wing what already and the expense OF the
trip. This certainly small aowance-and we there
pray fathers to give us $1,000 so that we may
have enough-and them this would allow us but
lltte to spure.
VI the amount which may be Appropriated certain
portion should aid Immediately To our friend, relation,
aud interpreter, Mai Mauel, to whom $3.50 for
money advanced and goods furnished and who is also re-
tfacted by along the HIS property in our country
worth S4,oJoai tn he has III the WORLDS or hay be
lie came with us at our solicitation. He has acted
have for years placed in him has been Well deserved we
nope he may lie home with The appointment OF
any other gent would be disgrace to our relative ana
should deserve d.ah the bands OF our people We
did not least speak word in his deience We have
already that hold him by the right hand and do
not mean o let him go We do not ask aud he does not
,asrr that the money be placed in liis hands We
all ask however, that lie may not be utterly dIcrcdited
aud a shame brought upon hun, and all OF US through
belief in evil reports agains, him. which we know are mo-
true freely trusted s50)-he freely assumed ou
debts Can desert him We hops our fathers WIN lis
ten 10 us.
Mr.. BUTLER was under stood to make an inquiry as
dams and who would take charge Of the sum OF money
appropriated by Congress Tor their expenses
Mr. ArCHlSON. Major Marie
MIR. Blu TIER. do not know the man.
lima object placing this money the hands OF this gen
teDani :.
Mr BUTLER No. sir. don't object merely said
that did not know hun.
Mr. ArCHiSON. Well, sir the resolution leaves !
OPTIONAL with the Secretary of War whether he vii
place this money in the hands of the Chiefs or In tn
hands OF his individual TO take charge OF, to bear IN
expenses OF the chiefs their way home as tar as I'M
city OF Detroit.
Mr. JONES Mr. President, my colleague and mysel
have received letters recommendatory OF MAJOR Marie
from gentlemen known to be of the highest respectaoly
and upon whose declarations the most implicit Telianc
can be placed Amongst others who have introduced mn
TO u.s. by letter. refer with pleasure to Captain james
Nav of Pitsburg, Pennsy lvania, well known also e
yourself, sir, gentleman Of veracIty ana OF eKa'e
character. 49, -,
Major Martel was recommended TO Captain May by
the II Rev Bishop OF Cincinnati, TO whom he wa
avouche for by his parish priest at the Sanit 81 Mare
Michigan and by others, upon whom he could ana die
place entire confidence But sir, whether ths unipor
tant charge against Major Marel true or not, an
whether coming highly recommended OF ho', ne
the man in whom these Chippewas repose confluence
and as they desire that he should be continued to ac