The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-04


of the lots should depend the apparent richness
of the mines; but they should be small enough TO
afford persons in moderate circumstances an OPP
portunity Of becoming bidders, and thus enlarge
the field Of competition as far as possible.
If these lands are leased, it will be necessary for
the Government to maintain large number OF
officers in California at high salaries, whose re-
sponsibility must, from the circumstances Of the
case, be almost nominal. But by selling thelands,
all connexion between the miners and the Govern
ment will be severed, permanent interests will be
acquired in the country, and new stimulous
given to the enterprise of our citizens.
Indian .!fairs.
Our relations with the Indian tribes will demand
the prompt and Earnest attention OF Congress.
The annexation of Texas, and the recent treaty
with Mexico, have, il is estimated, added about
one hundred and twenty-four thousand persons to
our Indian population. Many Of the tribes thus
brought under control are fierce in their dis
position and predatory in their habits, and It is
feared only be restrained from committing
great outrages on the persons and property OF the
Inhabitants of neghborng territory by the militia
ry power of the country
No provision having been made by law until
the close Of the last session Of Congress for the
appointment Of agents to take charge OF the nu-
merous tribes in California and New Mexico, the
Government had no means or obtaining much
satisfactory information respecting their condition
and wants It 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 to the scene of their labors.
Shortly before the close of the last session, and
Immediately after the passage of the act author
izing the appointment of Indian agents for Califor
MIA, nominations made and confirmed by
the Senate of three persons well qualified for the
discharge of their respective duties.
Instructions were prepared by the Department,
and when the agents were ready to set out on their
;ourpey was discovered that. bV some over
sight, no appropriation had been made to pay their
salaries Their movements were therefore ar
rested for the time but it was deemed important
that all unnecessary delay should be avoided, and
as provision had been made for the appointment
and payment of three commissioners to negotiate
treaties with the Indians of California, it was con-
cluded to appoint the same persons commission
ers who had been nominated and confirmed as
agents BY adopting this course the commission
ers were enabled to proceed without delay to the
Indian territory, where they Will acquire such
knowledge of the habits and character Of the In
dams as will qualify them to enter efficiently on
the discharge Of their duties agents, as soon as
the appropriation shall be made for their salaries;
when that is done their functions as commission
ers will cease
A 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 cooperate
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 and correct information
in regard to the Indian tribes who are scattered
along our southwestern frontier, and If possible to
establish friendly relations with them.
II is greatly to be regretted that no authority
was conferred by law for the appointment of resi-
dent 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 coun-
try, comprising the Camanches, Navajoes, Utahs,
Apaches, and Ticcarillas, are the most savage and
lawless within our boundaries. For many years
they have been in the habit Of making hostile in
cursions into the neighboring provinces of Next
CO, and ravagng whole hoods-murder-
ing the men and carrying the women and children
into captivity BY our recent treaty with MeXi-
CO, the Government Of the United States has
bound itself to repress these outrages by Indians
resident within borders 1t is essential, there
fore, for the fulflment of our treaty stipulatons
with our sister Republic, well as for the pro-
lection of our own citizens, that agents should be
sent among these tribes who can exercise a re-
straining influence over them The necessity for
this measure has been painfully illustrated by the
outrages which have been committed upon our Cit
liens travelling to and from Santa Fe. The at
tack upon Mr.. White and his party within a few
days journey Of that place, has obtained melan-
choly notorety. He and his whole party were
bru,ally murdered, with the exception Of his esti
mable wife and daughter under ten years of age,
who were made captives. Subsequently being
pressed by body Of men who were in pursuit of
them, the Indians murdered Mrs. w hite, but still
retain the daughter in horrible captivity. At 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 judg ment and
knowledge of the Indian character fit him in a pc
cuar manner to discharge the duty,) with full
power to use it in such manner as he might
think best He has also been instructed to con-
yey information to the Indians that unless this
child be delivered up, they will receive the chas-
tisement by the military power Of the Government
which their savage cruelty so richly deserves.
High,oay to the Pacific.
Considerations Of great national interest seem to
require that the mears ofntercourse wit our pos
sessions on the Pacific coast should be improved
by the construction Of great thoroughfare entire
ly within territory, from the valley Of the
Mississippi to the Pacific. Whether this can be
best accomplished by railway, turnpike, or a
plank road, or by combination Of the different
modes Of improvement, can only be determined
after careful survey Of the country and Its re-
sources shall have been made. Our only access
to them now is by a toilsome journey of months
duration through comparatively trackless wastes,
or by circuituous voyage, attended with many
prlvations and dangers. A highway, commenc-
ing point in the valley of the Mississippi,
and terminating on the coast OF the Pacific, with
lateral branches, would not only furnish the means
OF convenient INSTRUMENTATION, but would lead
to the establishment of chain OF settlements along
its line, which would link together the widely |
separated portions of our country by an INSOFAR
able bond of union.
The gigantic character Of the work, however,
admonishes US Of the necessity of adopting every
precaution in a;certanng the best means of effect
ing the object. With that view, care should be
taken to obtain full! and accurate information to
the shortest and best route, having due reference
not only to distance between the termini, but also
to the soil, climate and adaptation to agricultural
purposes Of the intermediate country. If the re-
port should be favorable, it would then be for
the wisdom Of Congress to determine how far the
probable augmentation of the value of the public
land the increased facilities in the transportation
OF the mail, and the other advantages already re-
ferred to, which may be reasonably anticipated
from the complexion Of the work, may justify
liberal contributions of land or money towards its
construction. therefore beg leave most respect
fully to call your attention to the subject, and to