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

Martel was treated BY some gentlemen OF that city with
habit OF drinking anything stronger than whiskey laugh
teri he by This is the tale they tell
On the day after this debanch when the missionary br
- visited them, Marte had the headache and
was sick, so that he could not converse with him.
Now they say in this, that they have learned,
since they have been in the city of Washington that
great chiefs and councillors will take spree occasion
ally, and nothing is said about it daughter They
express the utmost confidence in Marel and say it is
a common Thing with him TO be drunk They say he is
drunkard that this thing happened with him Tor the
first and only time in Baltimore. But, sir, lest there
should be truth IN this matter, IT is provided that the
Secretary OF War shall select some discreet person TO ac
company them TO disburse this money
| Mr. KING. wish TO ask the senator another ques-
lion: whether there is an lndian agent of the United
States residing among the band of Chippewa Indians!
Mr. ATCHlSON There is. sra sub agent and act
ing Superintendent of Indian affairs.
Mr. KING, The senator from Florida has properly
stated that the government of the United States ought
discourage delegations of Indians from coming to Wash
ingon in person, and that they should make their rep
reservations through their agent in the manner pre-
scribed; Otherwise, shall be constantly having
these Indians coming to Washington to solicit the
charity of the government, although, perhaps, in this
they may be entitled to the lberaly of the govern
meat But SIR, If you make compensation in money to
these chiefs, 1t seems TO that you should secure II
to the people themselves. | know nothing of this
things gotten up. know how the Indians are op.
Grated on know that in very many cases, which have
come under my own knowledge, fair claim has been
made out for certain Indians and payment has been
made but the money instead of going into their hands,
has, great portion of IT, been pockeed by their disburs
ing agent What ask in this is, that this state of
things should be guarded against and that whatever s
over and above their actual expenses should be dis
hibued 10 the Indians fairly, equilably and Justly, by
the Indian agent residing there. by the government
agent, and not by this man, who comes here TO ask
that the money may be placed in his hands | trust,
sir II the amendment prevail that the ouon will be
so amended as to guard against the pocketng OF this
and deprive the Indians OF it.
| Mr.. ATCHISoN. | concur with the senator from
Alabama in the view he has taken of this subject Ii
the amendment be adopted, and there is anything left
after paying the expenses of the Indians then | will
accept the amendment very cheerfnlly that the agent
sub agent, the superintendent of Indian affairs, shall
distribute this surplus among the people in the
proposed:
Mr.. FELCH. One word. sir, with regard to the agent
to whom reference has been made by the from
Alabama, and in reference to the position of this tribe of
Indians. The Chippewa tribe of Indians owned the most
of the country embraced in the territory OF the State
OF Michigan. There is agent residing in the bounds
OF those who represented here by heads chiefs
They divided into different bands Some of them
IN the lake Superior country others OF them scattered
along the Mississippi river, intermediate places be-
tween them extending over large tract OF country and oc
cupying different positions There portion of tribe
on fake Superior AT that place, there is sub-agency
These Indians the head Chiefs who scattered in
the interior at different places and have very little
municaton either with the superintendent at Detroit, the
general agent, or the sub agent
Now, sir, in regard 10 the mission of these Indians
here They have complained for many years of the want
OF attention TO some matters which they had transacted
for instance that in the distribution of anutes given
hem the half breeds to be allowed to participate
the distribution, which was injurious to the Indians them
selves. They have also aked in the petitions presented
here, that they may become the of certain land
Another complaint the bad selection of goods with
which they furnished under the treaty. Sew
eral of these matters they have complained of; and not
understanding the arrangement of the government with
regard TO these things they have considered II their
duty 10 come here and enforce their claims themselves
And now, sir with regard to then agent, whom they
cali their brother | know but little of his reputation
At home, | know enough of his reputation to know
that he reputable citizen and that he is not in the
habit of becoming intoxicated and moreover, that he
has got up this expedition 10 this place for the sake
of making money. On the contrary. the chiefs Of the
tribes who here have come not at his socita
ton hut at the desire OF their tribes assembled in
Gil They, in the first place, requested this man, who
lives hundreds OF miles from them to come along, and
gave him their credentials their agent He refused to
until they to the conclusion TO come themselves
and then solicited him to accompany them. That is the
position in which he stands with reference to this tribe
The bill fully guards against improvdent OF the
money by them. ltprovides that whether shall be put
into his hands, into the hands OF the Indians them
selves the hands of some other person. they should
give full and perfect guaranty that whatev money is
appropriated by Congress shall be used Tor the purposes
| tor which ii is granted
One word more, in regard to the amount to be allowed
them hope the amendment offered by the chairman Of
The committee who reported this bill will be adopted for
understand that the Commissioners OF Indian Affairs, IN
making his estimate OF the expenses OF these Indians
home has reckoned only their actual expenses TO Detroit
leaving them some hundred miles from home.
Thirty days Journey S Their homs
the Commissioner Of lHdian Affairs. Now. sir if the
amendment proposed by the senator from Missouri
be adopted, to allow six thousand dollars, that will
cover what may state am satisfied, from examination,
will be the amount of their actual expenses These
head chiefs are now here at the of their hunting,
drawn off from the pursuit OF game at the proper
son of the year They have left their families without
support Now, it seems TO me- sir, in the ordinary lber
alty OF this government compensation should be made
for the purpose of defraying these expenses They were
under the necessity OF obtaining out to come here,
and for that purpose have expended money. | am for
limiting, far be done with propriety, all these
upon many appropriations with regard to the Indian
tribes but seems to me, in this case, having come
here in perfect good faith, having expended sums OF
money which have been examined and are found TO be
no more than covered by this appropriation although
they may have been mistaken the poprety of their
dressing the government in this way, should exer
else Just and liberal policy towards the aborgnes oil
our country In this case, to send these Indians back
home after this great trouble although they might have
been mistaken, would be leaving them in bad humor and
dstiected towards the government II seems to me thai
to do this would not only be act OF injustice towards
the Indians, but bad policy on the part OF the govern
!. mept
The resolution was then ordered to be engrossed and
was subsequently read third time by unanimous con-
|, sent and passed,
Mr.. FELCH, from the Committee on Public Lands, &c
whom referred the additional documents relation
to the claim of John Millkn and others, asked TO bt
discharged from the further consideration Of the same
and that lie On the table which was agreed to-
Also, from the same committee, to whom referred
the petition of Samuel Smonton asking payment of $500
allowed ]. 2. Simonon, deceased, in treaty with III
Saginaw tribe OF Chippewa Indians in 1899, asked IL
be discharged from the further consideration of the same
and that it be referred to the Committee Indian Al
fairs. which agreed