The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
REmARKs oF mR. wnlrcoms,

In The Senate, Thursday last, IN defence Of General
Lane.
(. Mr.. WHlTCOMB said Mr.. President wish very
briefly to do justice absent individual, who, and
whose friends, had not anticipated the mpuation upon
his ocal conduct that was thrown out the other day by
the senator from Ohio | aude TO the case OF General
Lane late governor OF Oregon The senator assigned
reason Tor his removal that he had delayed making
report for an anreasonably long time. There was no
statement that he had not made report, but merely that
he had delayed IT, Nor was any exception taken 10 the
character of the report ITSELF to its fullness its
cuIaey. or ils being satisfactory in every respect
When making few remarks the other day, repeng
that attack was, as then ntmated, not in possession
OF the facts necessary TO enable 10 do full justice to
General Lane have since had time 10 possess myself
OF some authenticated particulars simple statement OF
which, in addition TO what then said, will be sufficient
Tor his triumphant yindication now wish in brei
10 place them upon the record IN order that the charge
may be accompanied by it, refu,aon.
General Lanes commission governor of Oregon bears
date as late as August IS, lsfs and yet already find
him ST. Louis on the thirteenth day after wards on his
way overland to the Pacific. He had in the mean tne
with that remarkable promptude and energy which have
evo characterized him. hastily arranged his private affairs
equipped himself Tor distant and peous journey, and
taken leave OF his family and Of the endeafmens OF
nome for long and uncertain period He had scarcely
rested from his brilliant campaigns in Mexico, in which
he had won impershable laurels military commander
and the title OF the Marion OF the Mexican war; and he
now, at the summons of his country promptly dedicated
M nj sssis II Sashl
his face westwardy for the performance OF long and
tedious journey. over inhospable wids and the
capped NeVaua nen Oqt Seu0m rdverseu Dy Inc 1901 oil
civilized man. He was accompanied BY only twenty
five men, under Lieut. Hawkins of the rifles, having ex
Pessy declined larger force which had been offered him
by the government He and his little command were
engaged in the prosecution OF their hazardous under
taking throughout the entire winter, All his horses and
mules successfully gave out and he travelled hundreds
There was prvaon or labor that he did not cheeruy
divide with his men, even to the cooking Of his own
food He soothed them by his kindness, cheered them
by his voice. and encouraged them by his example. He
last reached Oregon with but nine men, the remnant of
his little party, on the 3d OF March, ls49.
that he was NOT obnoxious 10 Il up 10 thai time Finding
him now on the theatre OF his duties, il is natural and
proper to inquire what these duties were Among
only four days before the date of Gen. Lanes commr
son required him, in the first place, 10 or
enumeration Of all the white inhabitants OF the Territory
to be taken. He was then to assign to each county
district the proportion OF representation in the territorial
legislature to which it should be entitled He next
to fix day for the election oil the members, and give
sixty days notice of IT by proclamation After the elec
ton devolved him to appoint day for the meeting
OF the legislature, and give not exceeding ninety days
notice of The first session Of the legislature by
law limited TO not exceeding one hundred days.
In view OF the condition Of the settlers at that lime,
who were entirely destitute OF any government organ
zaion except such as had been adopted by them from
sheer necessity in their primary capacity Gen Lanes du
ties as governor OF the Territory were OF FAR more i'm
portance than those which deyolved him supern
earliest attention Especially was il his duty 10 look to
the for the protection and the welfare Of that
weak and distant colony, which had been long de-
pyed OF the fostering OF the general government
10 attend other words the condition OF the settlers
before informing the department. at more than four thou
sand miles distance, OF the condition OF the Indians.
Giving the priority, then, TO his executive duties and put
ting together the different periods established by law
within which they were required to be pehormed-that
10 say, sixty days notice OF the territorial election,
ninety days notice allowed for the meeting OF the legis-
laure, hundred days notice Tor the length OF the first
session. and if only thirty days be allowed for taking the
census, We have in all more than nine months. which
NJ fhaT ha
occupied in the discharge OF these important duties be-
fore Gen. Lane ought TO have been fequred expected
70 attend o The preparation Of his report on indian al
B. ls49 even supposng him TO commence his labors the
moment he arrived in Oregon, without an interval OF rest
after his long and faiiguing journey
But, Independent OF this consideration he would have
been justified, presume, In posiponng action in the
premises, and remaining quiescent in the absence OF the
his guidance, but which did not reach him in Oregon until
the middle OF June, about three months and hall after
his arrival Besides, but partial supply OF funds was
received by him TO defay the necessary expenses and
that not until the month OF April.
What General Lanes conduct under these circum-
sances Did he avail himself OF any OF these excuses,
legitimate they 10 defer action and TO consult his
and quietl No, sir the very day after his
rival he issued his proclamation, and appointed suitable
persons TO take the census in every part Of the TeIG
too without cent OF money But the want OF money
was compensated BY his personal influence, BY the conf
by the zeal in the public service OF those whom he
ployed. The apportonmeni was made among the differ
en districts, the election held, and the legislature
finally convened in the early part oil July, only two
three weeks after the instructions 10 hand and not
until these instructions arrived appointments
ceived oil sub-agenis OF Indians, whose duty was 10 aid
the governor in the collection OF information for the prep
araon Of his report superintendent OF Indian affairs
yes OF this very report which he s now censured for
delaying an unreasonably long time" No sui. agents
received their appointments assist him until The middle
OF June, and yet determined and actually attempt
ed to remove him by the appointment o successor Ia
citizen OF Indiana) The 9th OF August following Here,
then, have the late cabinet in the plenitude OF their
magnanimity, allowing General Lane less than two
months within which TO examine 350,000 square miles oil
territory and 10 ascertain as far as practicable, the names
location, Dumbers character, and disposition OF the va
and for his report afterwards TO reach Washington Bear
in mind too, that there regular mail communca-
ton with Oregon until June last.
have said that General Lane did not wait Tor money
instructions before entering upon the active discharge
of his duties But, sir he not satisfied 10 stop there
Although before remarked, his executive duties claim
ed his first regards yet he found time, besides dischagng
them promptly 10 give bis unwearied and personal aen
ton TO his duties superintendent OF Indian affairs Long
before any subagents received their appointments 70 assist
him, within the very month after be reached the shores
Of Oregon he made Journey Of three hundred miles,
going and returning TO certain tribes on the Columbia
rver business connected with the duties oil his office
held tak" with certain tribes there, and succeeded IN
eiecting peace between two others that were at war
with each other. In the following month, (MayD hearing
OF the murder OF Wallace by the Indians on Pugefs
Sound al some two hundred miles distance, and that
they threatened destroy the settlement there. consisting
Of but ten families, who were in hourly expectation OF
an attack he visited that place for the purpose OF putting
"A, a here vcr IN n frOoDa in