Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-01-18

while lingering there, any have been satisfied tha
he was wholly unfit to be entrusted with the command o
men or the expenditure of public money Now say tha
had COL Weller been political partisan connected with
matter how closely and had that office been in my Depart
ment should most unhesiaingy have advised bis removal
and would have felt nexcusabe to trust large amount
Of the public money his hands The Senator from Mch
gan may be ncreduous yet but venture to assert that had
it been his private funds which were in the hands o
COL Weller he would have taken them out if he could gel
them Immediately What he would have done with regard to
public funds of which he had the is for him and not
for me 10 determine. But have doubt that had he oc-
cupied the Executive chair he would have removed Col
Weller from that situation however else he might have be-
slowed him. ..
from Michigan be permitted say that the very
once occurred that did remove rather advise the
val Of Whg who in every way qualified for his office
except the particular merely because had ascertain
ed be defaulter in his State. advised his
VAL aud Gen. Taylor removed him. do wish to name
is necessary that should name, the individual will
however, inform the Senator from Michigan privately of the
person and the Office, if he desires it.
So much Mr. President for Col. Weller. do not wish
to dwell upon bis any longer it again.
unless the Senator from Michigan still thinks that my state
and my aseveraon needs further support he does
will give il him in public in private he may desire
Mr.. CASS | will make my statement after you have
done.
Mr.. EWING. will now say word as to this case of
"naked prescription for opinions sake )" for that this
val has been pronounced by half dozen voices here COL
Weller Democrat wholly without qualifications, not trust
worthy, fit for the Office, removed from it, and COL
Fremont another Democrat, most highly qualified in every
respect Trustworthy of perfect fitness and capacity for the
duties of the office, appointed in his place This the
prescription for opinions sake so eloqueny denounced BY
gentlemen on the other side Of the chamber
Perhaps ought explain thing further however, be-
fore leave this case Col Weller was according to we'll
settled usage, clearly entitled TO office from the Democratic
party The previous Administration here had always given
the defeated candidate for Governor of Ohio office under
and of
have some But my point is, and do not mean to be
driven from it. that this not the proper office They Sc
ected bada foreign mission being the just reward for the
Of the candidate and the usual savo o his feelings
wounded by defeat.
Before proceeding to the Of Gen. Lane, will con-
slider for item Of Executive history, kindly fur
nished to me by the Senator from Indiana. He says
81 will read letter which have in my possession first
promising that the time Gen. Lane Governor OF Ore
gon 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 be-
tween that and the Department OF State to
which entitled to the jurisdiction of these officers
derand that attery has been settled in favor of the De-
parmen of Sa and therefore that became the proper place
TO which should apply for information"
Now, this is all information to me-entirely
heard suspected that there the slightest question
between those Departments to jurisdiction. The De-
parment of State had jurisdiction the Territorial officers
proper The Department Of the Interior the Superin
tendent Of Indian Affairs. The Governor of Oregon per-
formed the double duty He the Governor, and
o6cio Superintendent Of Indian Affairs His Office of Gov
whn and he appointed and removed through
the State Department The Department Of the Interior had
nothing do with it. except to attend and to the dis
charge Of his duties superintendent Hence it is that
every thing which related to the Indian affairs to the
Department Of the INTERIOR and all that related to bis other
duties the Department of State. do know where the
Senator got his information-from what letterwrer in
what newspaper he found it but he stated il here matter
of htory Of which he had become well informed. There
great deal Of history which gets abroad with just much
nmp0 foth tho fhaf(S
not from my State, and not in my Department. did not
up in my mind the particulars Of his removal, the
passing events of day. but remembered in very
general manner his neglect Of duty Superintendent of In
dian Affairs and the complaints made against him in that
pacity, and the spur Of the stated them
membered them and 6nd examination, that my
ry has not misled me. said ".. .@,
GAS to Governor Lane report made by him the
Department for very long time after his appointment Great
complaints made against him from the lie rtory Of Ore
gon, and from the most authentic and reliable those
which the Executive ought to respect
As matter Of fact and memory the m"ment said that
this the casenot that he removed this gsound
for having nothing do with his removal could
for its cause any further than have said Knowing by
whom il was done, knew it was rghfully done.
Now, with respect TO the first of the objections stated
against Governor Lanenamey that be neglected report
Superintendent Of Indian Aars-the Senator from Indiana
not present, (Mr BRIoHT,) offered as an apology
explanation that Gen. Lane appointed by elegraphic
despatch and that be Immediately out making tosome
journey inhospabe REGION and did reach Ore
gon unit, January February. Well, these all truths
but his first report does bear date until October and Gen.
Lane knew perfectly well that necessary for the De-
pament receive his report earlier than that in order be
able make their report Congress the condition of
the Indian tribes Oregon and to recommend to that body
what necessary be done for The benefit of the Indians
and Of our own people.
Mr.. WHITCOMB. If the Senator will allow me,
merely wish that Governor Lane arrived Oregon
the 81 of March, if my information is correct.
Mr. EWING. Very well II could not remember exactly
He arrived there the Sd of March, and he made his report
in October. Now he knew perfectly well that the necessities
Of the Department required that much information Of the
actual condition of affairs Oregon could be got should
be presented to the Department early possible. Had
this been Administration which he inclined to favor
does any believe he would have withheld his report till
October when il could reach the Department till il
too late to have embraced the report made Congress
Was he IN this prompt and dgent in the discharge Of his
officia duties
give example of what can be done BY an officer
who is speaking terms with the Administration whom he
serves The new Superintendent. of Indian Affairs (Mr
Dar reached Oregon the 18th If September and on the
24h Of October twenty days after his arrival be for
waded the Department report and very satisfactory
one, he could CO. and he followed up with other
reports fast be had been able to get information This
is intent on doing his duty.
Now, felt it to be great wrong the part Of Gen. Lane
and felt that the Department wanted superintendent there
who would attend his duty, and give the information which
was desired The honorable Senator from Indiana said that
Gen. Lane had not time go all the Territory and find
all about the Indians that great Territory, apd he
could do such brief time seemed 10 require True
but he had time give the information respecting the Indians
SO far they Immediately in contact with the whites
and under his own personal observationso far indeed
show what necessary to keep the two races, fa