The daily union., 1852-08-11

debate by noticing The points which have been alluded
10 further than in one slight respect want To make
suggestion TO the friends OF this proposition with regard
to the form OF IT, As the amendment now stands. pro-
poses appropriate 81 000 under the direction OF the
Secretary OF the INTERIOR 10 make this Investigation.
Now, Il think that ii we make the appropriation,
ought TO make II as elective possible The objection
stated in part by the honorable senator from North Caro-.
Ina bad occurred TO me, and had mentioned II 10
ator near mehe objection that This might be too large
an approprauon-wllh he remark thai II an oiheer OF
the was TO select particular agent oil known
character and ability and send him TO investigate these
claims 40 such would undertake il for any compen.
saton that could he given under the appropriation Of
$40 600 Very few men OF competent character would
undertake il voluntarily any how, for any compensation
you could give. Very few would be willing to go from
this country to California; aud n California IL would be
very invdious task 10 perform. But sl doubt not that
there are competent gentlemen IN California who would
undertake II for some reasonable compensation
But think ought 10 extend the sphere OF authority
which we are communicating TO the government.
think we ought TO change The phaseoogy OF The amend
ment in such manner as TO make IL read. !" TO enable
the President 10 inveslig alton OF the circumstances
under which these extraordinary claims against the gov
ernmen have originated All admit that II is almost
paraleed IN the history OF the government is worthy
the consideration and attention Of the highest executive
officer The Secretary of the Interior might be alto.
getber competent IN that respect; but think il ought
be put under the direction OF the President.
Again: there may be military commission existing
in California. he general IN command may be al The
head OF il and in charge OF il himself; and has been
uegesed here that these supplies have been furnished
under military exgencies tor qlarterng the neighborng
Indian Tribes. Il seems to me that the military officer in
command--if he is gentleman OF high character, as
presume he isl do not know who is there now-I know
that may be said ot the commanding officer OF last year
would be very proper person judge OF that allegation
and the ruth Of IT. and The President would
have powes in connexon with the allegation made
the military exigencies OF the country at that time, direct
HIM 10 make inquiry into those circumstances, and to re-
port the result OF his investigation He might have 10
send for witnesses great distance He might have to
VISIT the different sections OF the country.
Again the President under such provision as sug.
gest, would have the power OF sending any known tried
and experienced accounting officer lhere--a gentleman
possessing such character the honorable senator
from North Carolina says he ought to possess. only
make this suggestion TO the friends of the measure
think il would be well enough 10 have the service done
by known officers OF the government of experience and
standing, who would inspire confidence in the public
MIR. WELLER Upon the suggestion Of my friend
from Tennessee, ! move 10 amend the amendment by
striking out "Seeretary OF the Interior, and inserting
president OF the United States" This suggestion has
my entire approbation and therefore offer the amend
ment 10 the amendment. ! would assign, reason
for IT, that against the various charges that have been
made against the commissioners in California have
implicated gentlemen connected with the Department OF
the Interior.
Mr.. BELL. made no allusion TO that.
Mr.. WELLER That is an additional reason, in my
Judgment why the control OF this matter should be given
to Inc President of The United States Il would be per-
ecy satisfactory doubt not, 10 all the parties in Cali
onia that the appointment should be made by the Pres
Mr. BELL. | beg leave to say that made the sus.
geson IN reference to the power OF the President to
qure the military officers 10 report to him. The Sece-
tary of the Interior could not do that The President
alone command the services OF the military officers
Mr.. WELLER, ipreer that the appointment should
be made directly by the President of the United States,
and therefore offer the amendment TO the amendment.
Mr. GWiN. hope that amendment will be adopted.
for the reasons which have been suggested, and for
further which think can give Under the
amendment as proposed TO be amended. the President Of
the United States can orderand, in my opinion, he could
not do better than 10 oderthe officers Of the army
investigate this matter. They are in the country the
the country and they could make this examination with
lmpanality. | am very glad the suggestion has been
made by the senator from Tennessee. | am that
there officers OF the army there who investigate
the subject, and can report the facts Of the in
proper manner.
Mr.. BADGER Mr. President, the senator from Cali
forna does not exactly the point OF my objection
the amendment Ii does upon the ground that
there OF integrity and capacity discharge
these duties such way ought TO give entire salts
faction 10 the government and the country but rested
upon this That We had sroag to believe that any
person who might be sent there for the purpose OF dis
charging these dsiies wond either fall victim temp
taton, victim TO vllhhcaion What is the state Of
the case heref -Four men oil unimpeachable reputation
are sent out TO California as Indian commissioners; and
immedlate alter they upon their duties, they
found engaged IN unlawful transactions, and gen
orally charged by the whole newspaper press OF that
country with being engaged in participating in fraudulent
contracts upon the government Here where these four
commIs oners have fallen, you propose send ou,
man, exposed 10 The same trial. the same difficulties the
same dangers, 10 make investigation OF the proceed
Ings oil his four great and llustrious predecessors
Now sir, submit, If there is not good reason to fear
that there is something there that would be either inu-
Gus to The integrity fatal to the reputaton of the
who might be engaged In such nvestgaloni Then
my Objection was this: As he s decide private
claims between individuals he is not like a Judge
whose sentence has weight OF It's own force but one
whose opinions 10 govern from their moral inhu-
ence, how could we hope TO detve benefit from such
investigation, when il would come to us either con-
taminaied with corruption in the agent. with strong
general impuation upon him. however unjust, that be
was so contaminatedi That the ground oil my OBJ
lection.
MIR. B0RLAND Mr. President, cannot see any good
reason for the proposed amendment the amendment
take this administration to be a unit, and do not see
that makes much difference whether leave this mat
ter TO the President OF the United States or 10 the Secre-
tay OF the Interior do not any necessity for the
change proposed by the amendment OF the senator from
California. would have preferred the amendment in its
former shape.
The amendment 10 the amendment was agreed to-
Mr.. UNDERWOOD called for the reading OF The
amendment as amended; AMI IL accordingly read,
as follows:
To enable the President OF the United aes to cause an
investigation 10 be made OF claims preferred against
the United States for provisions alleged have been fur
nshed TO the indians Of California, $1,000"
Mr.. BAYARD. Upon that amendment ask for the
yeas and nays. ! think It involves a very important
principle, in regard TO which agree entirely with the
sentiments OF the senator from Michigan, Mr.. Cass
The yeas and nays ordered; and being taken
sulted-yeas 9, nays 3t-as follow:
'YEAS-Messrs. Adams Bell, Dawson Foot. Gwin Nal.
lory, Pearce, Smith, and Weher-9
NAlS-Messrs Atchison, Badger Bayard Borland
Davis, D.ssussure Dodge OF Wisconsin, Doagl,. Fecb
Fish, Geyer, Houston, Jones Ktno Ma Mar.