Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-16

Of lands in the State Of Illinois, claimed by
the plaintiff under Q purchase and convoy.
auce from the Piankeshaws, and held by the
defendant under o grant from the United
States. Chief Justice Marshall, in delivering
the opinion Of the court, stated that " while
the different nations of Europe respected tho
rights Of the natives as occupants, thew as.
serted the ultimate dominion to be In them.
selves, and exercised the power to grant the
soil while in the possession of the natives.
These grants have been understood BY all to
| convey the title, subject to the Indian right of
occupancy. This Government as always act
ed on the same principle. While it recognized
the Indian right Of occupancy, it claimed the
fee; and the treaties by which we have ac.
quired the possession Of such extensive regions
OF country involve this principle The con.
sideration paid appears to be intended merely
as an equivalent for the pe.esable surrender
of possession"
Inc decision in this suit settled, beyond
controversy, the question against the power of
| the Indian tribes to sell lands to private indi
viduals. The Carver claim was, in fact, de-
MED by the Indians themselves, who disclaimed
any knowledge of the Indians who signed the
grant to Carver and Carver's Journal, which
| was published in 1878, is entirely silent in re-.
lation to the grant
1t is only necessary to add, that the grant is
void, and held by the Government to be of no
validity whatever.
A Gross Misrepresentation following
telegraphic dispatch, emanating from New
York, is going the rounds of the press, viz:
WASHINGTON NEws.-The Washington COR
| respondent of the Evening Post says that Mr.
Nicholson of the Union has preferred claim
| for twenty five per cent. extra for services as
| an employee Of the Government, under the
joint resolution adopted near the close of the
| last session of Congress. The claim amounts
to about $50 900. Mr.. Guthrie refused to &c.
ognise the claim. Nicholson got Mr. Gushing
| to give an opinion in his favor, and several
members OF Congress to say, by certifs Gates
that they meant 70 include Nicholson in the
resolution. Nh. Guthrie dssents from the At
torney General, and says to the members Of
Congress that they must declare legislatiyely
their meaning, and not by certificates.
Now, on investigation, we find that the cor.
respondent of the Post said nothing of the
sort concerning the Attorney General alleged
by the New York telegraphic agent He
stated simply that the claim was fortifi ID By
| an opinion Of the chief law officer of the Gov
| eminent, that it is valid claim which is
! very different indeed from proclaimins that
the claimant had procured (got) such an opin.
ion to be rendered. But it actually turns out
that the Attorney General has given no opin-
ion, verbal or in writing, whatever on the sub
ject, to the Secretary of the Treasury or any
one else, the case never having teen referred
| to him.
Tie Current Operations OF the Treasury
pspsrtRent.-0n yesterday, the 18th of Dec !,
there ware of Treasury Warrants entered On
the books Of tho Department--
For the redemption of stock...... S97 O32 IL
For paying other Treasury debts. Sc $50 IS
For the Customs. ................ $50 81
Covsted into tho@Treasury fsen
Customs. ................. 80. 4498 10
Ear fha On