Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-17


lions for patents and the fund for this purpose SO
pie, every facility for dispatch should be afforded
i No complaint is heard against the integrity, Skill or
competency OF those dschargng the important duties
the bureau but the delays incident the smaness Of
the operative force in the office vexaous and embar
RAISING.
Since the present commissioner took charge Of the
reau the number of applications examined patens is
sued have greatly increased Still from four % six
months, and in many longer period unay,idaby
elapses, after the application is presented beforeinal ac
ton car be obtained. This is trial 4, the pa
thence Of the inventor and often serious losso him
well as the public.
The law requires the models and specimens impatient
ed inventions be preserved and arranged in suitable
cases Some of these useful well to the inventors
DESTROYS Of ascerainng whether their inventions have
been anticipated the examiners in the discharge of
their duties But there many tnat wholly worth
less and unht for any purpose In instances they
represent conrvances altogether unpatenabe in others
they are merely duplicates of models previously deposit
cd Where application is made for patent for design
merely The practice under existing laws has been to al
low the applicant to deposite, his model, specimen
of the article which his design has bean placed in its
full size Accordingly vast number of stoves and other
cumberome articles have accumulated to such extent
as TO render 1t impossible TO comply with the law
curing them to be arrangedin As space is of SO
much value and Importance this bureau these defects
in the INV should be remedied and enlarged dis
erection given to the commissioner, there being dan
ger of is abuse
Appeals from the decision of the commissioner may be
taken the chief justice either of the assistant judges
s Ss app t ne wsa q l.
his appeal and the adverse party have decided
by any Of the Others although the Judge to whom the APP
peal was made may be unable from Absence age other
nfrmity, hear the The object of the appellant
may be delay enable him to infringe, with mpunity,
upon the rights of the appellee; and the law, it
stands affords him this opportunity. As such cases
have occurred and may again arise, the evil should be
renledied.
During the past year the Indians have been pa
cc than expected; few outbreaks have occurred,
AZ xIo
ritorie and along the to Oregon and California
have been comparatively small. By kind, humane, and
just treatment their condition may be improved and the
hostile feelings often manifested by Them and so fire.
quenty engendered by mschieyous of conduct
the part of the whites and the derelcon of duty Of
public officers may be subdued If they cannot be
cated, 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 agricultural pursuits To
give the Indian stability of character-hake him in
dependent responsible moral bengshouldbe the study
of those who entrusted with his guardianship.
The time is rapidly approaching when this must be the
fixed policy Of the Government since their roaming dis
position cannot be grafed tolerated much longer.
Their territorial limits daily becoming more circum
scrbed and unless they learn the of husbandy their
condition in few short years will be destitute and de-
graded and their utter determination must follow
Their number within the limits of the United States is
estimated ut 400 000 of whom about $4,000 east of
the Mississippi river principally in New 1ork Michigan
Wisconsin, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida
about are in Minnesota and along inner from
tier to Texas those of the plains and Rocky Mountains
estimated So 000 and those in Texas at 30 900
California at 100 000 Washington and Oregon Mt % 000
New Mexico at As 000 and Utah at r. 000-a formidable
number of sayages to control and properly direct
By the act Of March s. 1853, fifty thousand dollars
appropriated enable the President to enter into
negotiations with the Indian tribes of the States of
Missouri and Iowa. for the purpose of securing their as
sent the settlement Of the citizens of the United States
upon the lands claimed by them, and for the purpose of
extnguishng their titles in whole in part to these
lands This duty committed to the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, who undertook it at the earliest prac
cable period and has made every effort discharge it
faithfully and to accomplish the object for which the ap
preparation made His journey through the section
of country in question: and his interviews with the In
dian fail TO be of great value to him in the future
discharge of his duties.
1t is believed that his presence made most favorable
impression, and that the results of his visit will prove
beneficial TO them and to the Government Little doubt
Is entertained that early in the season. and in time for
Congress act upon the subjects connected with this
Territory and to consummae the design of the appro
priaon treaties will be made with the Indians and such
arrangements entered into viii satisfy them and gra
tfy the people No effort will be spared accomplish
the object the bureau and the Department fully APP
preciate its value and importance.
Some of the Greek Indians were indicted in the fede
raj court in Arkansas for introducing vending sprtu
liquors in the Indian country The marshal Of the
western district Of that State arrested them under pro-
Of that court and they rescued from his
tody Many Of the Indians have banded together and
determined to resist the execution Of the writ
the ground that by their own laws the same Indians have
been already tried and punished and that tits unjust and
contrary to the spirit of institutions put them
upon trial second time for the offence The
element aud evaporation of the Indians great
and alarming that the superintendent of Indian affairs
for that district appealed to Do officer and requested
him suspend proceedings until he could consult and
advise with this Department This has been done, and
after declaring that il had neither the legal authority
the disposition to interfere with the action Of the judicial
tribunals to prevent the service execution of any
writ which had been lawfully issued, the Department
suggested TO the marshal and the district attorney having
charge Of the indictments the propriey of cooperating
as far compatible with their Of duty, with
the superintendent and other Indian agents, in their
efforts to calm the troubles which existed and restore
| quiet and contentment among the disafected
The laws Of most of the Indian tribes upon
this subject and enforced and executed with great rgor
II would therefore, be far better permit them
troll it than TO introduce conflict Of jurisdiction which
might lead to disastrous consequences.
Although it is doubted whether the Federal courts
have cognzance Of such offences when committed by In
dams yet Congress should nterpose and relieve the ques
\ ton from all doubt.
The issue of warrants to Indians under the bounty
land laws has been suspended and unless Congress
pressy authorizes it, they will hereafter be dsaowed.
II is questionable whether the Indians engaged in the
service Of the Government in any Of severed
intended to sever, their connexon with the tribes to
which they belonged SO long they continue members
OF tribe, their individual appears be merged in their
tribal character; and whatever is due from the Gov
eminent for their service belongs to the tribe They
moreover in state Of pupiage the Government is their
guardian aud bound to protect them against the superior
intelligence and sagacity of the white man Although
many warrants issued previous the question being
brought TO notice. may be safely assumed that with
the exception Of few Of the Stockbridges scarcely
solitary entry has been made by Indian under the