The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-03

which would soon become odious TO the people
The relation of landlord and ten being bsh
ed between the government and the occupants of III,
mines the jealousy and irritation which that relation
too often engenders would soon arise. The lessees
would regard the government as an exacting anG
oppressive landlord, and strong feeling opposed
to the payment OF rents would spring up The
and the collection Of the public dues would be-
objects of hatred and dstrust, and the miners
instead of looking TO the government their gnhr-
dian and protector from wrong, would Be drivea by
the force OF circumstances into an attitude of hos
tiliy 10 it, az the source Of all the evils which op-
pre- ssed them. Attempts 10 enforce the payment Of
rents by legal process would prove aoortiye, be-
cause the whole community would have an in-
terest adverse 10 their collection Collisions be-
tween the tenants and the officers of the law would
ensue, the feelings Of the people would be aliena-
ted and the whole country involved in turmoil aai
confusion.
No considerations of mere pecuuiary char ,cter
should induce the government 10 adopt a policy
which would tend 10 Consequences like these.
The system of licenses Is obnoxious To similar OBJ
jections, varying only IN degree. am, thsrei Jre
of the opinion, that the mineral lands should be
divided Into small tracts, and sold In fee simple TO
the highest bidder at pubic auction. The extent
of the lots should depend on the richaess
of the mines but they should be sms III enough 10
afford persons in moderate circumstances au oppor-
tunity of becoming bidders, and thus enlarge the
field OF competition as far as possible.
IL these lands leased, II will be necessary for
the government to maintain a large number of Off
GERS in California at high salaries whose RESPONSE
bity must, from the circumstances of the case, be
almost nominal But by selling the lands all con-
nection between the miners and the government
will be severed, permanent interests will be ac-
CURED in the county, and a ne W stimulus given 10
the enterprise of our citizens.
INDIAN AFFAIRS
Our relations with the Indian tribes will demand
the prompt and earnest attention of Congress The
- Il .vx1 h.
Mexico. have, it is estimated, added about one hun
bred and twenty-four Thousand persons to our In
dian population. Many of the tribes thas brought
under control are fierce in their disposition and
predatory in their habits and il Is feared, only
be restrained from committing great outrages on
the persons and property OF the Inhabitants of
neighboring territory by the military power OF the
country.
No provision having been made by law, until the
close of the last session Of Congress, for the ap-
pointment of agents to take charge of the numerous
tribes in California and New Mexico, the govern
ment had no me ans of obtaining much satisfactory
information respecting their condition aud wants.
II is hoped, however, this defect will be supplied
by the agent and commissioners who have been
recently appointed, and who are now on their way
10 the scene of their labors.
Shortly before the close of the last session, and
Immediately after the passage of the act authorz-
ing the appointment Of Indian agents for Califor.
mia, nominations were made TO and confirmed by
the Senate OF three persons well qualified Tor the
Instructions were prepared by the department,
and when the agents were ready to out on their
journey, il was discovered that, by some oversight,
no appropriation had been made TO pay their sal .
aries Their movements were, therefore, arrested
for the time; but il was deemed important that
all unnecessary delay should be avoided, and as
provision ad been made for the appointment and
payment OF three commissioners to negotiate trea-
ties with the indians of California, il concluded
TO appoint the same persons commissioners who
had been nominated aad confirmed as agents. BY
adopting this course, the commissioners were en-.
abled TO proceed without delay to the Indian ter
rtory, where they will acquire such knowledge of
the habits and character of the Indians as will
qualify them 10 enter efficiently on the discharge
OF their duties as agents, US soon as the appropra-
ton shall be made FOR their salaries; when that is
done, their functions as co mmIssioners will cease.
resident superintendent, and three general
agents, have been appointed, for the Indian tribes
OF Oregon.
Two special agents have been commissioned,
under the act of September, 1850, to Co operate
with the resident agent In Texas, in conciliating
the Indians of that state. Under the authority OF
the same act, three commissioners have been APP
pointed to accompany the joint commission now
engaged in running and marking the boundary
line between the United States and Mexico, for
the purpose of obtaining full aud correct informa-
ton in regard TO the Indian tribes VINO are scat
tered along our southwestern frontier aud, If pos
sble, TO establish friendly relations with fhem.
Ii is greatly TO be regretted that no authority was
conferred by law tor The appointment of resident
agents in New Mexico, where they are more
necessary than in any other part of the territory OF
The United States. The Indians of that country,
comprising the Camanches, Navsjoes, Utahs,
Apaches, and Ticcarillas, are the most savage and
lawiess within our boundaries. For many years
hey have been in the haoit Of making hostile
lncursions into the neighborng provinces Of
Mexico, and rayaging whole neighborhoods-
numbering the men, and carrying the women
and CHILDREN into captivity. BY our recent treaty
with Mexico, the government of the United
States has bound itself to repress these out
RACES By Indians resident within borders. IL is
essential therefore, for the fulhlment OF our treaty
stipulaiols with our sister republic, well for
the prot. ction Of our own citizens, that agents
should be sent among these tribes, who can exer-
ciee restraining influence over them. The neces-
siy for this measure has been painfully illustrated
by the outrages which have been committed upon
our citizens travelling to and ftom Santa Fe. Tue
attack upol Mr.. White and his party, within q few
days journey Of that place, has Obtained melau-
choly notoriety. He and his whole party were
bTuay murdered, with the exception OF his esti-
mable wife and a daughter under ten years of age,
who wers made captves. Subsequently, being
pressed by body Of men who were in pursuit OF
them, the Indians murdered Mrs White, but still
retain The daughter In horrible captivity. AZ the
last session Congress appropriated 81 800 TO be
used in procuring her release. This sum was
promptly placed at the disposal OF Col. Calhoun,
the nearest resident agent, (whose judgment and
knowledge OF the Indian character ut HIM IN a
peculiar manner TO discharge the duty) with full
power 20 use IL in such manner as he might think
best He has also been instructed to cOsvey in
formation 10 the Indian. that, unless this child be
delivered up, they will receive the chastisemeni,
by the military power OF the government, which
their savage cruelty so richly descy es.
HIGHWAY TO rng PACIFIC
Considerations OF great national interest seem
10 require that the means Of intercourse with our
possessions on the Pacific coast should be improved
by the construction OF a great thoroughtare, en-.
trely within own territory, from ne valley OF
the Mississippi 10 the Pacific. Whether this can
be best accomplished by railway, turnpike, or
plank road, or by combination OF the different
modes of Improvement, can only be determined at
ter careful survey Of the country and ls resour-
ces shall have been made Oar only access to
them now 10 by toilsome journey OF mon'hs' du-
ration through comparatively trackless wastes, or
by circuitous voyage, attended with many priya-
tons and dangers. "A highway, commencing at
some point in the valley of the Mississippi and ter.
mnating on the coast OF the Pacific, with lateral
branches would not only furnish the means OF con-
venient intert communication, but would lead TO the
establishment Of chain of settlements along its
line, which would link together the widely separa.
ted portions OF our country oy an inseparable bond