The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-22

borzed BY law and sanctioned by The head OF the de.
uenl in order 10 show the contrast in the other de-
ariments OF the government Twill refer first TO the
Navy Department, which cautious in adopting the
recommendations OF the commodore in command on the
mill Congress consulted The navy could not par
iejpae in the brilliant achievements OF the Mexican
war for Mexico had no navy TO contend with on the
ocsan The glory and renown OF that war were monop-
oled by The amy One OF lis successful generals
was from the enthusiasm OF the moment. elected Pres-
jent OF the United States. The success and brilliant
achievements OF the army during the seemed 10 inn
mess upon the mind OF OF the officers OF that branch
II The public service that they were privileged 10 vary
from the rigid restrictions that had been imposed upon
hem before the and that they could expend the pub
IL money on objects which they conceived TO be for the
public good, without the previous sanction OF law and
hey relied the military chief who ruled the country 10
Mr DAWSON. | would inquire of the senator from
California al what particular time that depot order
ei in The neighborhood of Bencia
MFR GWlN la The spring OF lS49
MIR DAWSON. What time in the spring OF 1892
Mr. GWiN II IS mentioned in the reports OF General
Smith 10 which have not yet referred The report Of
he location forwarded TO this city after the 4h of
March, ls49. II was not known TO the former admins.
MIR Mr. DAWSON What / desire 10 know is whether
The location made under the present the last ad
Mr. GWIN 1t was made since the 4,h Of March,
Mr. DAWSON. Under what orders3
Mr. GWlN. There were no orders issued to General
Smith by the last administration TO make any such loca
M DAWSON By whom was the depot established
Mr.. GWlN. By the general in command OF the Pacific
division, and sanctioned by the Secretary of War
Nh DAWSON. want to know who the military
commander was al the time the depot was ordered'
Mr. GWIN General Smith.
Nit DAWSON. General Persifer f. Smith
Mr. GWIN. give General Smith full credit for act
Ing he thought for the good of the country But
contend that il the duty of the Secretary of War,
who should have been familiar with the revenues Of the
department. and the extraordinary expenditure that would
result, from the establishment OF this depot to have re-
qured that the old quarters of the army during the war
should be used until Congress should determine 10 estab
lsh localities in the sections OF the State where they
needed.
lpdien appropriation bill passed on the Sd of September
1850, we have this clause
ITO enable the President to hold treaties with the var
Gus Indian tribes in the State OF California, S25 COO"
This is modest sum Of money. nothing like as much
as should have BEEN but all that Congress thought
proper TO appropriate Acting under the authority thus
conferred upon him, the President OF the United States
proceeded TO organize board of commissioners He ap.
pointed three, two oil whom were resident this side OF
the Rocky Mountains He sent them TO California, no
doubt at the public expense, to negotiate treaties These
commissioners took with them authority to call TO their
aid the army of the United States stationed in California
That to say, they took with them authority TO call upon
the commander of that military division for escorts |
wish it to be borne in mind that all this was to be done
Under an appropriation OF ,o00
One OF the board, and its dsbursing officer, On the nth
81 Deceuber, addresses the Commissioner OF Indian At
ars as follows After casting slur the State author
Ties, that they belligeren; that with the lnd
was profitable because soldiers got from FIVE to ten
dollars per day, and Uncle Sam" would foot the bill,
VERY doubtful,) he proceeds TO say
We route for the Mariposa country with an
escort OF one hundred and picked men, officers
three mule covered wagons and hundred and
ahy pack mules to carry our provisions ammnniiion aud
indian goods all under the command Capt Is. d Reyes
sh experienced and excellent officer from whom feel
assured not only OF protecon but of cordial aton
hor than the swoid We arrived here by om
Bencia on the Sh instant yesterday evenings the horses
and mules for transportation also day. we are ar
nngng for the journey and be the
tIsc.ion Of the Tuiare lake. early tomorrow morning"
We gathering all the information can, aud by
Sasans despair OF etecng in the name Of their Great
hher the President very general pacihcation but Il
WI awork requiring address, time, and, probably
hge outlay Of money for goods and provisions"
will now show how this escort was fitted out, by
reading from letter OF /. Butler King collector San
prancisco 70 The Commissioner OF Indian Affairs The.
Quariermasiers department was out OF funds, and
bad made application 10 the collector for assistance He
says
mar be permitted add that having heretofore made
sdYarces TO the amount Of S500Jo for the purpose OF
ablng the troops to in support of the
and without had taken the responsibility step could
nave been aken Tor the pacicaton oil the Indians and the
prevention OF probably long and disastrous Indian war
and though four months subsequently received APP
have been reminded by The commissioner OF customs ia
ei received oy the asst malt that my conduct in this
matter eoniratg to iaw."
Here is Information that will enlighen the chairman
Of the Finance Committee the origin of these dei
cences The collector surprised to find he has acted
contrary TO law" IN advancing public money to an OFF,
GER an advance OF an appropriation made by Congress.
nave been anxious TO ascertain what amount
pended on these escorts. but cannot get the information
lfomhe Quarlemasters department. owing TO the mixing
ap Of accounts therefore adopt Mr. Kings letter as
the most definite information can command.
wish IT 10 be borne In mind that this commission was
oganzed on an appropriation oil $4,000; and before
ney commence their labors they involve the Quarter
masters department in expense OF Sl50O00 which is
borrowed from the collector at San Francisco.
The coecto charged with acting contrary TO law in
ioamng the money; but he Is in no danger. He will be
naemnhed BY transfer warrants, in deficiency bill
laiude to this Transaction to show that the War Depart
meht has become The predominant power OF the govern
ment, whose subordinales act without authority OF law
WIN an mpuniy not tolerated in any other department in
me government. Thus find this escort provided with
money IRON The collectors Office contrary to law paid
agents subordinate TO this board OF Indian commission
es, and obeying their orders That while from this
$50 all supplies for this escort are paid for the sup
pes Tor the commissioners and Indians with whom they
are treating, are bought on credit and have not been
paid for to this day. And here in this deficiency bill
mere 10, no doubt estimate for the deficiency thus
Ieaed winch we are called on TO make appropriation
meet while not dollar is appropriated to deiray the
expenses OF the commissioners, and pay for their sup
pes, and those furnished the Indians while the commits
noners we're treating with them.
Inc commissioners, having the entire control OF the
expedition are limited in their expenditures to the
sum oil s25 900 appropriated and although they have
drawn drafts for The oyerpus of their expenditure, these
a are protested and the parties furnishing the sup
es are unpaid nor has the Department of the Interior
ior Their payment although the Secretary is aware
na me expenditures have largely exceeded the appro-
10 proof Of this will read extracts from letters OF the
mlssonefs, found in the annual report OF the Com
missioner oil Indian Affairs:
I'VE arrived acco,ainrlv n, ,h. 49,, -, a., ,s,h ~,