Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-01-23

tive ought to respect" Therefore, there
for his removal, 'as well official as political
Now, if there official reasons existing justiiying
the removal of General Lane who would probably, yes,
certainly, know what those reasons were! The people
of Oregon. To prove that there were no reasons,
shall ask the Secretary Of the Senate read preamble
and resolutions passed by the Legislative Assembly OF
the Territory after General Lane had been stripped of
authority and become private citizen again. They
were passed, sir, when General Lane was absent from
the place of their sitting when other influence could
have operated than the promptngs al honest hearts,
spirit Of gratitude toward one who among them
stranger and by his faithful and exemplary course
had proved himself worthy of the high reputation be had
brought with him. and which he has enjoyed among
those who have known him from boyhood TO manhood.
But, the action Of the people then, expressed
through these resolutions, need embelshng at my
hands, let them be read.
The Secretary read the following resolutions:
Be ii resolred BY the Legislative assembly Of the
Territory of Oregon, That the of Gen Joseph
Lane Superintendent OF Indian Affairs, meets with
fullest appreciation. and that his extraordinary
gy in that department merits the thanks of the people
of Oregon. That the just policy, coupled with the
great frmness he has exercised toward the numerous
Indian tribes within the Territory have secured the
most peaceful relations with them aud that few could
have accomplished successfully what his kindness, in
tegrfy, and rmness have done the bonds of
lasting peace with the tribes surrounding
Reoired That in the discharge of his executive du-
ties Governor of Oregon, he has uniformly acted
with view the best interests of the chOe people and
that his demeanor in Office has afforded ground Of
coinpldut on Sucu ds 10
meet the best expectations and wishes of the
people.
Resolved. That they regret sincerely that the Pres
dent of the United States has deprived the Territory of
Oregon of the future services OF so eminenty useful
and whose usefulness was enhanced by the unbounded
confidence Of the people over whom he was placed.
Resolved, That the conduct Of General Lane in his
private life has been such as to secure the warmest
friendship oil the people, and the purity of his private
relations has not been less than his energy has been
great in the discharge of his official duties
A. L. LOVEJOY, Speaker
SAM. PARKER, President
Passed 18th May, 1850.
Mr. BRIGHT. Now, ask who made complaints
against General Lane, what those complaints were and
| to whom were they drectedl
feel that have right to ask this question here, for
have inquired at the proper Department, and the pre-
sent incumbent give information on the SUBJ
ject. In order that there may he mistake this
point and that II may 60 10 the country that there IS no
record evidence against the conduct Of General Lane
Territorial Governor Of Oregon but that it rests upon
the statement Of lie Senator from Ohio alone, will
read letter which have in my possession first premi-
sing that at the time General Lane was Governor OF Or
egon the duties Of Governors of Territories Indian
agents. and similar officers, under the supervision
of the Department of the Interior. There had been
somewhat Of conflict between that Department and
the Department of State which entitled TO the
jurisdiction of those officers understand that latter
it has been settled in favor Of the Department OF State,
and therefore, that became the proper place TO which
should apply for information. applied first the De.
partment of the Interior and told that there MOTH
ing there against General Lane and that if there
thing would be found the Department of State
will now read the reply of the Secretary of State to
communication which | addressed to him:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
Washington, December %, 1850.
SIR In reply TO your note Of this morning, have
the honor to state that have caused examination
be made Of the proper files Of this Department and
that complaints charges have been found therein
against General Joseph Lane, late Governor of the
Territory of Oregon and O6ciO Superintendent OF
Indian Affairs
l am, sir, respectfully,
| Your obedent servant, II
DANL WEBSTER.
Hon. Jesse D. Bright U. S. Senate.
say then Mr. President that SO far as the records
OF the country concerned there is nothing the file
in the proper Department against General Lane and it
is my friend from Iowa properly characterized it,
of sheer, naked prescription it is the hewng down
oil public man, who mad rendered important services
to his country for other cause for other
than that he faithful adherent to democratic Prn-
cp.es.
Now sir in the absence of all direct information from
the proper Department will ask gentleman here if
any this floor know any other for General Lanes
removal to state it to the Senate. No answer being
given, permit to state what believe to be in
this connection respecting the basis OF the alleged
plants against General Lane Anonymous letters TO
one of the New York papers, mean the Tribune,
written learn good authority, by personal
envy OF General Lane, made So believe because Gen.
era Lane would not quietly submit to seeing this letter
writer hold the Office of assistant Indian agent, draw
the enfoluments, and do no work Being man of la.
Dor himself he required all around him follow his ex-
ample. This man IS Mr.. Thornton, itinerant
perance lecturer, who, from his history when last in
this city, taught upon the principle of edo say and
not as do" He is the man, and the only man, as
have ever heard that ever uttered complaint against
General Lanes conduct while in the discharge of his
various official duties in Oregon. And his letters
are the authentic and reliable information referred
by the honorable Senator from Ohio then Secretary
of the Interior. Those letters, embelshed with the
opinions and comments of one Horace Greedy, whose
name is byword and reproach throughout this country
wherever his paper and the opinions he promug gates
through il known, the reliable and authen-
tic" Information on which General Lane was removed
Let these facts go to the country with the resolutions
OF the Legislature OF Oregon, and will be content,
one of the friends Of General Lane and am quite sure
he will be content with the verdict public opinion will
award. Sir, there is in this Chamber, there
is not man Of sense in the United States, who knows
the facts of this case that does believe the removal
of General Lane was, the honorable Senator from
Iowa properly characterized it, ga Of naked pro
scptionn Ii the cutting down under the most un.
warrantabe circumstances of honest, upright quail
fed officer, merely because he democrat. Or was
there personal unknd feeling existing towards Gen.
era Lane the part of those who held the appointing
power2 L unwilling, sir, to believe that the late Ex-
ecutiye Of the United States would carry his private
griefs into the Executive mansion | choose rather to
believe that like his iustous predecessor he left them
all outside This is the liberal and American view of
this question One of the great and leading attributes
of brave and gallant man is magnanimity of soul,
when he has the will and power to show all around him
that he can forgive and forget and hence saw that
while the late Executive of the United States may
felt that he had complain OF the public and un
reserved manner in which General Lane spoke Of his
of the battle Of Buena VISTA at least much of
IL as related 10 his command-and have doubt his
remarks were magnifed and perverted to the ear of
the President will bring myself believe that,
spirit of personal resentment the Executive aimed