The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-12
In THE SENATE OF THE u. STATES
SPE IAL = II SION.
THURSDAY, MARCH "a, 1853.
ALEXANDER RAMSAY,

| ALEXANDER RAMSAY.
The Seaaie proceeded 10 consider the following
luton, submitted by Mr.. WALKER. from the Committee
on Indian Affairs, on the 2ist inst.
RssotOsd, That the Committee on Indian Affairs he and
they are hereby, authorized to delegate
proceed during the ensuing recess of Congress 10
testimony ia the references TO Said comm,,
Tee, touching certain frauds alleged have been
moneys bands frhe Sioux Indians and tha, ,hr
member OF said committee be delegated have power
proceed such points may nrcesary and 70 send
tor persons and and Witnesses and take
esutony, and cafliy the with other proofs
Congress 80 '''
Mr.. HUNTER think that that is a very objection,
able resolution think very bad practice to have
committees OF the Senae sitting during the recess be-
eye that IS not fair and proper mode of investigating
any question; still worse would it be for committee 10
delegate It's power TO one single ind vidual II power
WINCH ought not 10 be exercised by any sRgle member
OF Congress Il seems to that the nq quiFy proposed
by The resolution belongs TO the Executive We shall
soon have new governor of The Territory presume
who Will be &c CDlco superintendent OF Indian a!las
and to hm Or to some special commissioner be appoint
ed by he Executive, would most properly be delegated
such duty as thus. Are TO send members or the
members of the House OF Representatives. sngly about
the country as commissioners TO take testimony Surely
there could be no practice more dangerous hope the
Senate VIII moi agree to It,
Mr.. WALKER. ! am that the opposition To
by the senator from Virginia, his advocacy of any
matter winch may be proposed in the Senate with
haps The Committee Indian Affairs, can say but il
there is anything so peculiar in this matter, not able
70 appreciate IT, The subject has been referred to the
Committee on Indian Affairs. They have proceeded to
considerable ex ent in taking testimony They find in
that investigation that, with the witnesses which they
have examined here, they proceed but short
IN the inquiry. They have proceeded far enough how
ever to see that this an important matter and that il
ought to be investigated, and that the Senate ought be
fully informed about it. 1t is matter which has been
brought before the Senate upon memoria-upon formal
charges which ! now hold in my hand.
Mr. SEWARD, 81 A By whom are they made,
Mr WALKER. BY persons residing in Minnesota.
1a a md
Sweeser There various dispositions which the CON-
ml,tee m sh!nE HuaE ipmp y Important 70 take =
ing him to stale the substance of the charges
Mr.. WALKER An appropriation of $500 900 was
made for the Sioux Indians. The substance of the
charges is that Governor Ramsay, who the custod
an OF the money got the curreRcy OF the United States
exchanged ior the paper OF certain banks in the State
New York, upon which he made large per centage !;
that be took the money TO Minnesota that he there
ployed third person as agent to make the payment
that in making that payment the agent OF the government
imposed The Indians the necessity of allowing large
ceniage alleged be fifteen per upon the moAey
paid, beiors could pass into the hands OF the Indians
that the money that apart to be paid 10 the half
breed Indians was arbitrarily paid. and only to certain
portion, and withheld from the rest The committee
have proceeded 10 certain extent, to investigate the
charges. They have arrived at a point which would
show that there is grea, deal OF importance in it but
they proceed further for the that of
the witnesses members OF the legislature OF Minnesota
which has lately been in session. and others are persons
who reside there missionaries and as citizens who have
not been here, and could not be got here time give
testimony take
tor IRON Virginia occupies important position here.
He is chairman OF The Committee Finance which
connects itself peculiarly with the executive department.
and Virginia also has the head OF another committee
which connects itself still with that department; ;
but the senator has In ans his State and he has
occasion TO hear their clAnori.gs have He does
not know how the matter Affects the local community
He Ill appreciate that there thousands OF Indians
on the frontier OF Minnesota and among the pioneer set
Elements there. ready TO do violence protect their rights
unless they can see that the government moving with
prospect, and hope 10 them, that they TO
have their matters investigated Is there any Improperly
IN conhding 10 an individual the power OF dedimus
potstaiem to take testimony Has not the gentleman
IN courts OF justice, frequently sued out these powers
and sent them 10 single indv vlduals who could
witnesses and return the testimony certified 10 the
coun' That's all that is proposed by the resolution
1t Is only proposed that single member OF the Com
niitee Indian Affairs shall be authorized to 60
and complete The taking OF the testimony during the
recess. not 10 make report. but TO certify that estimo
ny TO the committee al the next session, that they
may have II under examination and report It, together
Wilh Their report, to the Senate Ii IL alleged letter
which accompanies the charges that the individual has
had to exercise his personal influence 10 keep the In
dlans who have in their hands, from doing personal
violence 10 the Inhabitants. hope violence will not
result For one, willing 10 lend myself 10 the duty
OF irylDg possible TO prevent II by letting these In
dlans that the government determined to inves
gate these affairs cannot that there any enormiiy
IN the proposition contained in the resolution Ii 1t be
that commissioner IA 10 be sent out the senator pro.
poses, be II but candid opinion IS that IT will cost
vastly more than the plan which the committee propose
will cost A member OF the committee take the tes-
umony and bring 1t here and the Committee on Indian
Affairs what II is worth and make their report
upon IT, cannot see situated are that should
not be presumed 10 iee deeper interest IN the matter
than the senator from Virginia. and cannot well sppre
caie unless the design OF his opposition Is personal why
IL Is thrown with much strenuousness and vloencs
against the matter | OF those who have lived
long, for the period OF my life, upon the frontiers. have
been much in contact with the Indians know agreat
deal OF their character know the necessity OF keeping
something in motion TO satisfy them that the government
intends 10 give respectful consideration to their rights
and that is all that is proposed here.
MIR BR0DHEAD have heard great deal about
these charges against Governor Ramsay, and think il
very proper that should say word two with regard
10 him.
Mr. WALKER Will the senator allow to say
that what have said did not intend 10 intimate any
thiag agains, Governor Ramsay have only stated that
charges have been made, and inmaed the importance OF
having them inquired into by taking testimony.
Mr. BRODHEAD. have frequently heard OF these
charges and II il proper that should say that have had
acquaintance of several years with Governor Ram
saw have served with him Tor four years the House
of REPRESENTATIVES also served in the legislature OF the
State of Pennsylvania Will. he was clerk of the house
think the, efore, that is due from 10 say, that
while served with him he maintained good character
for Integrity. | say nothing about his political views
for differed with hin that subject think ~ prop
that these charges should be investigated II ~ due 10
Governor Ramsay; and confess cannot see any more
proper mode of making the investigation than that pro-
posed by the Committee Indian Affairs. l think u
would be quite economical as any mode that can be
pursued. think IL would be impartial, and do not
think would be objected to by those making the charges
or by those ainst whom they made. understand
that both sides demanding investigation, though
do no, know what tribunal either party desires, have