Washington sentinel., 1853-12-11

Il
i are vexatious and embarrassing.
/ Since the present commissioner took charge OF
| the bureau the number Of applications examined
and patents issued have greatly increased. Still.
from four TO six months, and in many cases
| longer period, unavodably eapses, after the an
plication is presented, before final action can be
obtained. This is severe trial 10 the patience Of
| the inventor, and often a serious loss 10 him. as
well as the public,
The law requires the models and specimens OF
/ unpatcnted inventions 10 be preserved and ar
| ranged in suitable cases Some of these are USE
tul, wei. TO the inventors desrous of ascertain
| ing whether their inventions have been antici-
pated, as 10 the examiners in the discharge OF
| their duties. But there are many that wholly
worthless and unfit for any purpose. In some
instances they represent contrivances altogether
i unpatentable; In others, they merely dupl-
Gates OF models previously deposited Where ap-
! pcation is made for patent for design merely.
| the practice, under existing laws has been TO al
low the applicant TO deposite, as his model, a
specimen of the article which his design has
| been placed, in its full size. Accordingly vast
number of stoves and other cumbersome articles
have accumulated TO such extent as TO render
/ II impossible TO comply with the law requiring
| them 10 be arranged in cases.
As space is of so much value and importance 10
i this bureau, these defects in the law should be
| remedied, and more enlarged discretion given
10 the commissioner, there being no danger of its
| abuse
Appeals from the decision of the commissioner
may be taken TO the chief Justice or either of the
assistant Judges of the circuit court of the District
| OF Columbia. II is optional with the applicant 10
which of them he will take his appeal and the ad-
verse party cannot have il decided by any Of the
others, although the judge TO whom the appeal was
made may be unable from absence age, or other
infrmity TO hear the case.
The object of the appellant may be delay TO en-
ape nm TO infringe, with impunity, upon the
rights of the appellee and the law, as il now
stands, affords him this opportunity. AS such
cases have occurred, and may again arise the evil
should be remedied.
During the pastyear the Indians have been more
| pacific than was expected; few outbreaks have
occurred, and the depredations committed by those
\ in the new Territories, and along the routes 10
Oregon and California, have been comparatively
/ small
| BY kind, humane, and just treatment, their con-
dlton may be improved, and the hostile feelings
| so often manifested by them, and so frequently en-
| gendered by mischievous course Of condnct on
the part of the whites and the dereiction of duty
OF public officers, may be subdued fthey cannot
be conciliated soothed, and civilized in this way
they surely will not be by coercion, oppression
| and injustice.
Their attention should be diverted from wild
predatory life, and, if possible directed to agricu
iural pursuits; TO give. the Indian stability of
character-make him an independent, responsible
moral being-should be the study of those who are
| intrusted with his guardianship.
The time is rapidly approaching when this must
be the liked policy OF the government since their
roaming disposition cannot be gratified or tolerated
much longer Their territorial limits are daily be.
coming more circumscrbed. and unless they learn
| the arts of husbandry, their condition in few
short years, will be destitute and degraded, and
their utter determination must soon follow
| Their number within the limits Of the United
States is estimated at 100000 of whom about
4 $4,000 east of the Mississippi river-princi-
pally in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, North
Carolina Mississippi and Florida About 10000
l ,, M..,ra - # I
Texas those ofthe plains and Rocky mountains
are estimated at $4,000, and those ia Texas at
29,000 California at 100000; Washington and
Oregon at $4,000; New Mexico at $4,000, and
Utah at l2,O00-a formidable number of savages
| to control and properly direct.
! BY the act of March 3, 1853, fifty thousand dol
lars were appropriated 10 enable the President 10
enter into negotiations with the Indian tribes west
| OF the States Of Missouri and Iowa, for the pur-
pose Of securing their assent to the settlement of
the citizeis of the United States upon the lands
| claimed by them, and for the purpose of extin-
gushing their titles, in whole or in part 10 these
lands. This duty was committed to the Commits
sioner OF Indian Affairs, who undertook il at the
earliest practicable period, and has made every
effort to discharge il faithfully, and 10 accomplish
| the object for which the appropriation was made
His journey through the section of country in
question, and his interviews with the Indians,
ture discharge of his duties
| II Is believed that his presence made a most
favorable impression, and that the results Of his
visit will prove beneficial to them and to the gov.
| ernment. Little doubt is entertained that early
in the season. and in time for Congress to act upon
| the subjects connected with this Territory and 10
| consnmmate the design of the appropriation
treaties will be made with the Indians, and such
arrangements entered into will satisfy them and
crafty the people. No effort will be spared TO ac
complish the object, as the bureau and the tepart
ment fully appreciate its value and Importance
Some of the Creek Indians were indicted in The
| federal court in Arkansas for introducing or yend.
| ing spiriiuous liquors in the Indian country. The
marshal OF the western district Of that State arrest
ed them under process of that court, and they
were rescued from his custody. Many of the In
dians have banded together, and are determined
to resist the execution of the writs on the ground
that by their own laws the same Indians ha We been
already tried and punished, and that is unjust and
contrary TO the spirit of our institutions TO put
them upon trial a second time for the same of
| fence. The excitement and exasperation Of the
Indians were SO great and alarming that the super
intenden Of Indian Affairs for that district appealed
| TO the officer, and requested him 10 suspend pro
| ceedings until he could consult and advise with
| this department. This has been done and afier
declaring that it had neither the legal authority nor
| the disposition to interfere with the action OF the
Judicial tribunals, nor to prevent the service or
| execution OF any writ which had been lawfully
| issued, the department suggested TO the marshal
and the district attorney having charge OF the in
dlctmepts, the propriety of cooperating as far as
superintendent and other Indian agents, in their
efforts TO calm the troubles which existed, and TO
restore quiet and contentment among the disaE
| fected.
| The laws of most Of the Indian tribes are severe
upon this subject, and enforced and executed with
great rigor. Ii would, therefore, be far better 10
| TO permit them to control it, than TO introduce
conflict Of jurisdiction, which might lead TO dis
| astrous consequences.
Although 1T is doubted whether the federal courts
| have cognizancc of such offences when committed
| by Indians, yet Congress should nerpose and re-
| lieve the question from all doubt
| The issue of warrants 10 Indians under the
bounty land laws has been suspended, and, unless
Congress expressly authorizes il, they will here
after be disallowed. is questionable whether the
Indians engaged in the service of the government
in any of our wars severed, or intended 10 sever
their connexon with the tribes to which they be-
longed. So long as they continue members of a
| tribe, their individual appears to be merged in
their tribal character; and whatever is due from
| the government for their service beIono. t, ,l,