The daily union., 1852-08-11

the appropriation is simply that some dsinteresled person
who nas neither had any connexion with these
been suspected OF any agency in ing them shall be
authorized and empowered make that in
order that may be enabled see, when these debts
may be presented here, whether the property alleged 10
have been furnished was actually furnished or not
agree with the senator from Missouri that the su-
perinendeni OF Indian affairs is IN every way qualified
for the discharge OF this duty But be has asked TO be
relieved from the examination of portion of these
claims particularly many that arise IN the southern part
OF California. The contracts made for beef by Colonel
Fremont amounted 10 $3.50 900. That amount OF beef
furnished the rate of fifteen cents per pound. at
which rate il would make cattle worth from sixty 10
seventy dollars per head. while know that any number
twenty dollars per head. The superintendent of Indian
affairs recently appointed is known be particular
friend OF his He has been associated with him in many
OF his explorations in the Rocky mountains He NAV
have been associated with him at the time these cattle
were delivered and he has very properly asked the de-
partmen to be relieved from the investigation of that
portion OF the contracts. 1t seems TO me that some
proper and dsnerested person should go and make
the Investigations.
think there is why tho senator from Wis
consn should have expressed so much surprise at this
proposition. II he hal been familiar with the proceed
ings OF the Senate he would have known that the Sec
retary of the Inferior had been applied by the Senate
IN resolution introduced by myself, for information in
regard 10 this matter, and had informed the Senate that
there were claims 10 the amount of $sO0.O00 these
contracts. This information was communicated to the
Senate long since. Every SENATOR if he had attended to
the proceedings of This body might have known that,
without the authority of any department. these commits
soneIs had contracted debts to the amount of $500 900
He might have known, ALSO that drafts given by these
commissioners for very large amounts have been pre-
sened at the department and protested and he might
have known that only $25O0O were appropriated, and
that all these debts were contracted under that appro
prlaiion
According 10 the treaty it was provided that the beef
should be delivered in 1851 and 1852 All the cattle
which had been contracted tor to be delivered in 1851 had
been delivered before you acted the treaty al all and
large portion OF those which TO have been delivered
in 1882 The debts then, have been already contrac
ted, and suppose we in the predicament in which
the lrishnan found himself when he enlisted when he
declared that he was forced to volunteer The debts
already in the hands of officers it will therefore prevent
regard 10 these claims is made at the present time if
dsnterested person who has had connexon with any
OF these transactions should be sent 10 that country order
that he may examine the manner IN which these coaacts
were made and report to the government that we may
be able to act undersandngly when the claims shall
come in.
debts were contracted; il is not the only transaction in
which the agents OF the present administration have been
concerned which bears lis face evidence OF dis
honesty not that would imply any want OF moral in
tegrity OF those now in power but it will be necessary
to have some information, and the only question is how
that information is to be obtained My friend from Mis-
souri, Mr. ATcHIsoNl says that get from the
perlniendent OF Indian affairs, and have laid before the
Senate some reasons why he should be relieved from that
Mr.. ATCAISoN. think, sir, the senator from Cali
forna admits that, but Tor the special which he
assigns right, and that if this superintendent of In
dian affairs was entirely disconnected or dsnerested in
this matter, and if he could waive his feelings of decacy
with regard 10 it, he would be the proper person to nves
gate this subject Now, sir let us look al the state of
the case Three or four Indian agents sent 10 Cali
lorna with instructions 10 make treaties with the Cali
lorna Indians and to discharge other duties pertaining
to the office of Indian agent When there, they made
eighteen eates is said with these Indians and, sir
acting upon the supposon that these treaties had been
ratified here and sanctioned by the executive department
OF this government by and with the advice and consent
OF the Senate, it is said that they have contracted debts
in the execution OF these treaties to the amount of from
$500 900 TO Sl,000,000 These debts contracted
principally for beef used in feeding these Inuians.
Now, Mr.. President, these officers ignorant,
did this arise IRON their corruption Ole the other
must have been the They well knew that it did
not devove upon them, and that they had no power to
make and execute treaty Then sir, what was the OBJ
vous which the administration ought TO have pur
sued II was to remove them, either Tor their ignorance
or for their corruption, and 10 appoint with sufficient
capacity and integrity TO discharge these duties do not
believe, sir, that this has been done One o these In
dian agents has resigned his office, and another, per-
haps Others still in California in the discharge
Of their duties and perhaps contracting new debts per-
haps at this very hour carrying out those treaties.
Then, Mr.. President, the fault is with the administra
ton that these officers have not been removed and men
OF integrity and capacity appointed IN their places who
could and who would investigate this matter and report
upon it, think, sir that the superintendent OF Indian
affairs has shown a proper decacy upon this subject
and agree with the senator from California Mr.. We'll
that he should be relieved from the discharge oil this
duty, far the particular contracts mentioned by him
are concerned But let this administration these
Indian agents who have thus contrary 10 all reason and
common sense contracted these debts 10 the amount OF
SSoO,0oO Let them tbem-for there is sufficient
cause for remova-ant appoint Others in their places
men OF capacity and integrity, who can examine into all
these contracts and report TO the government Ii am
rgh IN ths then there is necessity for the appropna
ton OF $4,000 to pay special agent TO 60 to California
and examine into these matters We have, SIR already
district judges and district attorneys, and other officers OF
the government in California who might be employed for
this purpose.
Mr. PEARCE Mr. President, this whole matter was
discussed in the Senate months ago, and facts
were then stated which may have escaped the attention Of
the Senate. There three of these agents and
sub. agent in California One of these Indian agents
denies that he participated in these unlawful
tracts of them has resigned the sub agent has been
buked for it, and there is only OF them who still re-
mains in Office.
Mr. WELLER. If the gentleman will allow me, there
are two OF them in Office.
MIR PEARCE True, there are two, but only one OF
those who participated in these contracts There
three of these agents and sub agent-Damely, Bar
bour, Wozencrah Mckee, and Johnson johnson was
the subagenl and has been removed Barbour resigned
months ago Mckee denies having made any contracts
my place here some months ago Wozencrait did par
icpae pretty largely in these contrac but he has been
suffered TO remain for the which then assigned
1t was supposed that we might have the opportunity oil
getting certain information through him which could not
be obtained in any other way and il was also supposed
that he would not be willing or so ready TO furnish
il he removed. There doubt that the authority
OF these agents did extend far they went That
they grossly violated their duty in making these con-
tracts there can be no question: and, as said before,
they have been sernly rebuked for IT, But as has been
very properly stated by the senator IRON California INT