Indiana State sentinel., 1851-01-16
Remarks of MIR. whltcomb, of Indiana,

In the United States Senate, IN defence Of Cen Lane
Mr.. WHITCOMB. Mr.. President wish very brief
ly do Justice absent individual citizen OF
State, who, and whose friends had not anticipated
the mputaton upon his official conduct that was
thrown out the other day by the Senator from Ohio
alude to the OF General Lane, late Governor ol
Oregon The Senator assigned a reason for his re-
mova that he had delayed making report for "a very
/ long time" There statement that he had not
made report but merely that he had delayed il. Nor
any exception taken to the character OF the report
ITSELF to ITS tuness its accuracy, its being salts
factory in every respect.
When making few remarks the other day, repelling
that attack, was, then ntimaed, not in possession
of the facts necessary enable me to do fn Justice to
General Lane have since had time to possess myself
of some authenticated particulars simple statement OF
which, in addition TO what then said will be sufficient
for his triumphant vndication. | now wish in brief
terms to place them upon the record order that the
charge may be accompanied by its relutation
General Lanes commission as Governor of Oregon
bears date late August S S4S and vet already
lind him at ST. Louis on the thirteenth day afterwards
on his way overland to tue pacific. He had in the
time, with that remarkable promptiIude and energy
which have characterized him, hastily arranged
private affairs equipped himself for distant and peril
Journey and taken leave of his family and of the
dearments of home for long and uncertain period He
had scarcely rested from brilliant campaigns in Mexico
in which he had won mpershabe laurels a military
commander, and the title of the Marion of the Mexican
war; and he now at the ofhis country promptly
dedicated himself once to her service in civil
pacity.
On the 10th of September at Fort Leavenwortb he
set his face westwardy for the performance of long
and tedious journey, over inhosptable wids and the
snowcapped Nevada then but seldom raversed by the
foot OF civilized man. He accompanied by only
twenty-five men, under Lieutenant Hawkins of the RI
hes, having expressly declined larger force which had
been offered him by the Government. He and his little
command were engaged in the prosecution of their haz
ardous undertaking throughout the entire winter. All
his horses and mules successvey gave OUT and he
eled hundreds OF dreary miles through wnry and
| There lal,Or hat ho not
cheerfuy divide with his men, the cooking OF his
own food. He soohed them by his kindness, cheered
them by his voice. and encouraged them by his example
he at last reached Oregon with but nine men, the rem
naEt OF his little party, on the Sd of March, ls49
Keeping in mind the accusation of delay, it is clear
that he was not obnoxious to il up to that time. Find
ing him the theatre of his duty, it is natural
proper to inquire what those duties Among 9TH
ers the act OF Congress OF August H. l84S approved
only four days before the date OF General Lanes com
mission, required him, in the first place.
SITS or enumeration OF all the white inhabitants of the
Territory to be taken. He then TO assign eacl
county district the proportion of representation in the
Territorial Legislature to which should be entitled
fix day Tor the election OF the members and give sixty
days notice of it by proclamation After the election
it devolyed him to appoint day for the meeting
the Legislature and give not exceeding ninety days
tce OF it. The first senslsn Of the Legislature was BY
law limited to not exceeding one hundredd days.
In view oil the condition oil the settlers at that time
who entirely destitute of any government or
zation except such had been adopted by them from
sheer necessity in their primary capacity General Lane
duties as Governor Of the Territory offar more i'm
portance than those which devoved on him as Supern
tendent of Indian Affairs and!chaenged his first and
lest attention Especially it his duty to provide
for the government the protection, and the welfare
that weak and distant colony which had been long de
prived of the fostering Of the General Government
Ito attend in other words 20 the condition of the
tiers before informing the Department, at more thar
four thousand miles distance o the condition of the In
dams Giving the priority then his executive duties
the established hx
law within which they required 70 be performed
that is say, sixty days notice of the territorial elec
ton, ninety days notice allowed for the meeting Of tn
Legislature one hundred days notice for the length
the first session and only thirty days be allowed for tax
ing the census have n all more than nine months
which the circumstances Of the Territory might requr
should be occupied in the discharge Of these mportan
duties before General Lane ought to have been requr
ed expected TO attend TO the preparation of his
on Indian affairs. This would have brought ii down
December 8, 1s49, supposing him commence hi
abors the moment he arrived in Oregon, without in
terval of after his long and fatguing journey
But, Independent of this consideration, he would hav
been justified, presume, in postponng action in th
premises and remaining quescent in the absence OF th
formal written instructions which had been prepared 10
his guidance, but which did not reach him in Oregon
til the middle Of June, about three months and ha
after his arrival Besides, but partial supply of fund
received by him TO deiray the necessary expenses
and that not until the month Of April.
!. What was General Lanes conduct under these eli
Did he avail himself of any of these e,
cuses legitimate they were, TO defer action and
consult his own and quietl No, sir the very da
; after his arrival he issued his proclamation, and az
pointed suitable persons to take the census in every a
u Of the Territory The enumeration was accomplish
e ed, too without cent Of money. But the want
of money compensated by his personal influence,
"a the confidence and attachment he inspired among ii
e people, and by the zeal r the public service of thos
whom be employed. The apportionment was mad
among the different districts, the election held an
the Legislature finally convened in the early part Of
II y only two three weeks after the instructions can
IL TO hand and until these instructions arrived wei
appointments received of subagents of Indians who
at duty it to aid the Governor in the collection Of
formation for the preparation Of his report Superb
teudent Of Indian Affairs Yes, of this very repor