The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-11

the only system which has worked with anything like re
suits corresponding TO expectations and go back 4
the system OF general appropriations the abandoned
exploded system which never worked with etcaey-wha
to expectf Are expect results hattefnI
than those developed IN the operation of this system
think not am disposed therefore to adhere TO this sys
tenn tenaciousy until IL shall be by experiment proved
have been failure successful policy II is the
which we adopt in reference to all the Indian tribes at th
time IL has been ingraited late treaties II has
been ngrafted two appropriations in the Indian
appropriation bill and intend to propose and nsis
upon II as system Of general Indian appropriation beey
ing as think that il affords the only prospect of perma
nenty ciyizng and giving fixed agricultural habits tc
! that people.
! As Before stated make no point upon the amount o.
money II 100000 is required, instead Of $i250oO am
willing to acquesce in the of the Senate that but
am opposed to that amendment which involves the aban
donment OF the system which the past appropriation
have been made and proposes the restoration Of which
brought forth good fruit and which has been hereto
fore abandoned think, sir, il is wise in TO pur-
system with consistency with something like
dignity of purpose; and not be changing and vacating
between system and another and going back poll
icy which never has under the most favorable ccun-
stances, led TO anything but signal failures
Mr. BELL concur entirely in the views expressed by
the senator from Arkansas but should like to make
inquiry OF him in reference objection which he states
that the United States have power make reservations
in the State of California. Why is it that treaties have
not been made with these Indian tribes? have inquired
casually Of members Of the Senate who presumed might
be informed upon this subject but without obtaining salts
factory information. know that there treaties made
in such form, and under such circumstances that the Sen
not to submit them to the Senate for rejection raca
ton But why 1t that subsequent attempt has been
made TO make treaties with these Indian tribes take it
for granted that there is public domain there IN the va
rions gorges of the mountains where they would not inter-
terc with the population now in California.
treaty is the only method of which | am aware BY
which, under the constitution reservations
in order to make the experiment and have been surprised
under the circumstances that such treaties appear to
have been attempted of late, as far am informed Per-
haps i may be that they in progress now that in
trucohs have been transmitted to make them but if there
be territory belonging TO the United States in California
by treaty certainly the Indians in the
oyment of those reservations just have done in all
other cases and just authorized directly by tho
constitution to do where the United States the owners
OF the unappropriaed domain and where the Indians have
not been Incorporated members Of the State by law
In that we have power
1t suggested in debate yesterday that the people
the legislature of California would not perhaps give their
consent 10 this plan Rumors stated as existing in
California, that perhaps east of the Sierra Nevada
country did exist which the Indians might be located.
suppose if there be any territory unapproprated by law
would be in the power of the government to select por
tons Of the public domain which to make this expert
ment But my object in rising to get information from
the from Arkansas, to get him to inform me- if he
knew why II was that this preliminary step had not been
taken
Mr. HUNTER would ask the senator from Tennessee
for really wish the benefit of his information hs sub
jectwhether he thinks would have the right ~ take
cesson of the exclusive jurisdiction from the State Of Cali
forna for Indian reservation That TO me TO be
point of doubt merely wish TO ask the question TO get
the information from the senator.
Mr. BELL ] only refer the honorable senator 10 the
practice of the government from Washngtons admins
traton down this time The government has never un
deraken TO exercise the powers OF sovereignty over the
Indian tribes it is true SO far as to give them the ieesm
Pile in the domain We do not do that by treaty, and il is
not necessary for Che experiment TO be made that we should
give them anything but the usufrucory enjoyment butt
that we can continue indefinitely.
In those Sates-for example in Texaswhere the govern
ment public domain, the United States have for
borne for they have not had the power TO make any such
reservations That would have to be done with the
tlfg gh4 lauiEl thp
that the government from its foundation has felt at lber
t and has executed tho power of making permanent res
eryaons not giving to the Indians the feesmpe Of the
soil in any State but by treaty stpunons protecting the
Indians in the enjoyment Of those reservatons-and this
under the express power Of the constitution authorizing
the government TO make treaties with the Indian tribes
within any States Of the Union, those tribes not being
members Of such State and not being recognised as d-
Mr.. RUsK. do not apprehend that the United States
take the jurisdiction Of any land in California for the
use of the Indians without the Of California The
United States though have certainly the authority and
power off for the Of the Indians any amount Of
territory they choose and prescribe rules and regulations
for their government The constitution expressly gives
the power Congress 10 regulate trade and intercourse
with the Indian tribes and under that article Of the con-
stuton has been constantly the practice Of the govern
aside portions OF the country for the Of the
Indians and establish certain rules to prevent cncroach
ments them, and thus carry out the power expressly
granted by the constitution,
Now should be very sorry to see this attempt in Cali
fornia abandoned should feel extreme reluctance to
I abandoned;
70 make any rules regulations in regard to the
Indians which should be dstastefu TO the State Of Caor
MIA know how these things At the time these rcser
yations selected and taken the country not set
tied There is population going into California rapidly
and perhaps encroaching the Indians and this may
lead some inconvenience do not think, however
that we ought abandon the plan To abandon the poll
icy think would be wrong The given for il Is
simply that the superintendent OF Indian affairs there has
not made a report Of the fund which he last received
This is rather extraordinary time for the Indian ap
preparation bin TO be in the Senate know nothing of
the facts In relation to the report except what u stated by
the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs have great deal
Of confidence in the superintendent in his intelligence and
energy and the character Of the man. far my nc
quainance extends with him We have reports from him
that he has collected number Of Indians and that they
have gone to work and learning farm and make
provision for themselves and far getting along ad
mirably we'll
ure somewhat not disposed TO stint California or to
stint Indian Bureau in the appropriations necessary to
carry this plan One of the senators from California
and perhaps both yesterday rather opposed the obtaining
Of any reservation which 10 place the Indians Now,
would be willing TO vote to abandon this measure but
would make the appropriation proposed in the amend
ment offered by the committee am not disposed to con-
fine myself TO the recommended by the committee OF
which happen TO be member. willing 10 vote Tor
any reasonable sum that may be necessary
would propose to the chairman Of the Committee on
Indian Affairs and the from California that
increase the appropriation TO reasonable amount for this
object think, myself in the first law which passed
authorizing the reservation TWENTY-FIVE thousand acres or
land was too much mentioned by one of the sena-
tors yesterday think eight thousand acres in place IS
nmpy sufficient There is less exposure to the collisions
which win naturally take place between them and the
Yhte peoples and think that eight thousand acres is as
the head Of the fndan rureau or the ron cor .rhong