The daily union., 1852-08-11

claimed soon enough. But shall we be made acquainted
with all the facts and circumstances under which these
contracts made There is nothing which
wholly excuse, but there may be something which may
paiae this violation OF duty and which may incline the
government far TO adopt the 10 make
sort oil eqliable compensation for this beef which was
furnished TO the Indians under these contracts
Now, SIR, this information understand cannot be OBJ
tanned without considerable trouble and told that
The Indian agents there would have to abandon their
proper duties in order to carry on the Investigations
which would be necessary 10 obtain this information.
The circumstance which the senator from California has
stated WIN regard to The superintendent OF Indian affairs
makes entirely proper that this duty should not be
charged upon him. He is known to be very intimately
associated with several OF the parties concerned these
contracts He feels that il would be ndelicate for him
TO sit m judgment upon their contracts and he has all
ready understand given his opinion in writing touch.
ing Of the contracts, which would perhaps make it
entirely improper for the government TO impose such
sum to be appropriated for the purpose not, am
prepared TO say; but presume that only much OF it
VIII De expended as may be necessary to accomplish the
object. Il will be necessary to have person Of sound
Judgment. discretion, and OF frmness aud fidelity TO the
government TO examine npsriiay iAc ell the facts con-
neced with these transactions Possibly, when be-
come acquainted with all the circumstances, we may be
disposed TO pay portion OF these claims. But if
were called upon TO act with no more information
cernng them than Congress now has, for one shall be
unwilling 10 pay any portion of them. desire TO know
The TRUTH and the whole TRUTH about this matter, and
can only get the whole truth by appointing proper
person 10 make this investigation.
Mr.. WALKER The senator from Maryland says
that the object OF this appropriation not to ascertain the
of those claims which may be due. but to ascer-
tain The circumstances under which these debts were CON
lracted. What good will that information do us! He
admits that these claims will be presented to the govern
ment quite the government is ready TO dis
charge them and that when they presented is for
US to Judge OF the propriety Of paying them,
have listened with great attention to the remarks OF
the senator from Maryland and also those OF the senator
from California in regard to the propriey of excusng
the superintendent OF Indian affairs from investigating
one class OF these claims They say that the supe,n
that would be improper and indecae devove that
duty upon him. Sir, remember an old couple which
appears 10 to have striking applicability to this
case:
"And while the lamp holds to burn,
The viles sinner may return
(Laugher.l am glad TO that in the last expiring
hours Of this administration, it is about TO return to
due of proprety in view of its acts There
time sir, when not only connexonan intimate con-
nexon, if you will--with the persons having claims
against the government was not regarded improper
but even connexon with the debt itself was not re-
garded as any impeachment IN the way OF The ohcers OF
the administration There was once one Crawford, who
but connected with the debt ITSELF BY which he
ved 10 put 500 900 into his pocket There is another,
who now holds office, and who abors under the suspi
cion OF having obtained large amount OF claim while
acting Secretary of the Treasury and sir, 1t is truly
gratifying humber morals, who hope to proper
administration of the government some day other to
hear and this administration returning 10 proper
OF duty and proprety in view OF their relations TO
persons who have claims against the government:
4
affairs be relieved from the investigation of this mat
ter. In all probability these claims will be made out
and brought here with great pomp,ness and facility and
Will be paid with great facility; but II appears that, 10
the delicate feelings Of the superintendent of In
dian affairs he is 10 be relieved from the duty of this
investigation, at an expense of $40 o90 that special
agent 10 sent 10 be California in order that he may ascer-
tain indebtedness, and the circumstances under which
that Indebtedness was contracted, while, at the same
ment who contracted these debts had authority to
contract them. One of them, under the terror of the
circumstances, has resigned another been removed and
third retained only upon the principle that the wound
ed aud dying fox demonstrated against driving away the
swarm OF dies about him, because, if they driven
away, they would be succeeded by another hungry
swarm, who would rob him Of every drop OF blood in
his veins He is suspected OF having himself intrigued
the matter, and is retained only to obtain information
from him with regard to them.
Sir 10 ask Congress to make appropriation OF
$4,000 under such and for such purposes,
s the most extraordinary thing that ever was heard Of
We have superintendent OF Indian affairs here and
have agents in California, where these debts said
to have been contracted, and ye, we TO appropriate
to send out special agent to nd cut and hunt
up claims against the government hope, sir that we
shall wait until these claims brought in by the claim
ants themselves, when shall be able 10 investigate
them and Judge OF hepury OF lhem SO far as they can
be proved 10 be pure, and when pay what 1t is
proper should be paid and reject what IT is proper should
be rejected According TO this proposition, however, it
proposed that the government shall take the initiative,
and expend $4,000 to ascertain whether there any
claims against the government, and ii whether they
are just Sir, when these claims are brought forward
all in good tmewe determine their justice and the
proprety OF paying them That seems 10 TO be the
most economical way and it TO me- also that is
The most just and honest way OF transacng this busi
Mr.. PEARCE do not propose to reply to the insin-
uations OF the senator from Wisconsin lMr. WALKER1
against the purity and honesty OF this administration.
When that shall make specific charge il is time
enough TO answer him. believe that the personal IN
iegriiy of the members OF the administration has
been questioned by anybody-certanly by no one who
knows them.
In regard TO this particular matter, presume they do
not straw what Congress may do. They will not
claim They authorized the contracts to be
made they rebuked the making OF them but they think
il proper submit the matter 10 Congress, and they sup
pose the people OF California have rather deep interest
IN this queson-some Of them who not liable to the
proceedings If fraudulent they suppose. therefore,
that is perfectly proper for Congress possess itself of
information that is parie II rely upon the claims
OF the commissioners, shall get nothing but eI pare
normation and probably, If this claim is successful
others in other parts OF the country, the case will be
proved to be of the utmost purity We supposed II
might be iudcous, perhaps TO have investigation
one sde-one not intended facilitate the passage OF the
claim by these parties, and TO guard the government
against any injury. But il the Senate does not think
proper pass this Appropriation, be 1t so The admins
aiion have not the slightest interest IN the business,
except far they may desire 10 equity done, and
to furnish Congress with that information which will
enable them 10 do it,
Mr. GWIN The subject OF these contracts was dis
cussed very fully in the Senate some time ago, and
then said all upon that matter that | wanted to say. |
will say word however, in regard to this appropriation
L..