The daily union., 1852-08-11

The question was then taken upon the amendment o
the committee, 10 strike out the appropriation and re-
sulei-yeas AZ, nays las follow:
YEAS-Messrs Adams. Atchison, Badger, Bayard Bell
Borand Bright, Brodhead, Brooke, Baue Cass chaIon
Foot, Geyer, Gwin Hamn. Houston. Jones Of Tennessee
Kins, Mallory, MeriSether, Miller Norris. pearce; Pratt
Underwood. Wade. Walker, and Weller-42.
NAY-Mr Clemens.
So the amendment Of the committee agreed to.
lhe nth amendment OF the Committee on Finance was
TO insert after the words "per annum" in the following
clause, the words in italics.
For payment the heirs of Cyrus Choice the balance
sseo Ss s 0 S pscsmSs s 10 Se i4h
% detafti"s ess;,s M ,s9 Raseos paid 10 said
The amendment agreed to.
The sixth amendment OF the Committee Finance
was TO add at the end OF the bill The following clause
For compensation three special agents and four in
chase OF presents, $l5,0OO"
The amendment was agreed to-
The seventh amendment OF the Committee on Finance
was to add the following clause:
ITO enable the Secretary of the Interior in
yesgaon 10 be made into certain claims preferred against
nshsd to the Indians IA cafosna, % o0e'
Mr.. WALKER. would like to hear some expana
ton OF that amendment.
Mr.. BRIGHT. Numerous treaties have been made
with the Indians of California and in consequence var
appropriations have been rendered necessary
tracts have been made by the agents OF the government
and no appropriations were in existence for the purpose
OF meeting them. Thus appropriation was recommended
by the Secretary of the Interior and learning the
facts of the case, the Committee Finance resolved on
bringing II under the consideration OF the Senate for
the purpose OF employing an agent to ascertain the
extent and the justice OF the claims growing out o these
treaties.
Mr.. WALKER. Then it appears that this appropra.
ton is not for the purpose OF paying these claims but
merely to ascertain what they
Mr.. BRIGHT; Yes. sir.
Mr.. WALKER. 1t seems TO me that if we were to in
r0duce resolution requesting the Secretary OF the In
terror TO furnish this information it would be the more
appropriate III the department has discharged its
duty, it will be able to furnish the information 1t is
most singular thing that appropriation should be ask
ed for 10 ascertain what is the amount Of these claims
Mr.. WELLER. They arose under eighteen different
treaties.
Mr.. WALKER Eighteen treaties with the Indians of
California sent TO the Senate, containing certain
stpulations which the Senate refused to ray-I sup
pose, because they considered them mprovident Be-
Sides there authority for making these treaties
at all, as | understand. Some persons took il upon
themselves make these treaties, and them here
hoping that the government would adopt them do not
question their motives; they might have been good but
the government refused TO recognise these treaties and
has never believe, sanctioned such course. look
on This appropriation OF $4,000, Tor the purpose OF
ascertaning what claims arise out of those treaties
most extraordinary, Those who have claims against the
government will, doubt, send them here soon enough
without our sending an agent TO look them up; and
hope that shall be able TO ascertain their amount
without incurring an expenditure OF $4,000
Mr. WELLER. The senator from Wisconsin is en-
trey mistaken to the character OF the Indian agents
They responsible persons, sent out by the govern
ment with full authority to negotiate treaties with the In
dians. They negotiated eighteen treaties, which were
regularly transmitted by the agents 10 the executive
branch OF the government and by the government to the
Senate and by the Senate rejected. Nearly all these
treaties stipulated that the government should supply the
Indians with certain Quantities OF beef during two years
and the agents proceeded under these informal treaties
to supply the Indians with beef to the oil nearly
million of dollars. The senator is mistaken in sup.
that nf ha nfali
the government. Claims TO the amount OF more than
half million have been presented TO the department, and
proes. ed for want OF funds.
general impression has gone abroad here. as we'll as
in California that there was something improper in the
mode of making the contracts Tor the supply OF provisions
Many persons suspect that there fraud while others
have openly made the charge and IN order to inves-
gate the matter necessary 10 make this appropriation
We propose send agent, who shall be specially
charged with the investigation Of the manner in which
these contracts made. II they made in good
faith and II the contractors supposed that they had the
authority OF government for supplying the beef the gov
eminent will ultimately be bound 10 pay but before
can make any draughs the treasury for this purpose
desire TO obtain information. That is all we ask We
shall be called at the next session OF Congress TO appro
pirate 81 900 900 in satisfaction OF this debt and unless
make this appropriation, we shall not possess the in
formation necessary Tor our guidance.
Mr. ATCHlSON | agree with the senator from Wis
consin that there no earthly necessity for making this
appropriation. We have a superintendent oil Indian al
fairs An Office OF this kind has lately been created and
competent man has been appointed to fill it-one who
rs well quaDel tnese CiaHns report
upon them. | therefore can see no necessity for a
special agent The superintendent OF Indian affairs can
do it under instructions from the Department OF the In
terror.
Mr. WALKER II the senator from California had
not been one of those who have shown good deal OF
zeal and great deal of ability in exposing the conduct OF
some persons connected with the present admnisra-
,ion-- he of those who politically friendly
to it, and hal tried to conceal certain facts and had in
atverenty made this development-l should have pro-
nounced It one of the most astounding things in the
world. What is the statement Why, our Indian
agents make treaties with the Indians in California, and
while they yet inchoaie before they submitted TO
the government here for ratification, the agents OF this
administration go and purchase beef for these Indians,
il is alleged TO the value OF 81 100000 and claims
for the payment OF $500, 900 have already come in.
There are, then, claims to the amount OF to come
In.
Was ever su ch thing heard of before venture TO
say that If such thing had occurred during the excite
that existed in the democratic administration oil van
Buren, or that OF General Jackson, there would have
been an effort TO impeach the Executive. But now the
matter spoken OF by the senator from California as IN
adverten,ly if it matter OF course that fhe agents
OF the administration should have done this most
astounding development, that an expense OF million oil
dollars has been incurred under treaties with the Indians,
which had been submitted TO the Senate oi the uo-
ted States And what is more extraordinary, ana the
force of which think the senator IRON Calfona must
feel that government must issue search warIaat 10
these debts be hunted do not see the ne
cessity OF expending money 10 search for hem ven
ue say that they will be here enough II you do
not appropriate cent Claims TO the amount OF $500,
900 here before the treaties were acted upon. II s
the extraordinary thing ever heard OF IN my lie
the senator from California cannot be IN ear
nest in this proposition 10 issue search warrant
TO hunt up claims against the government We all know