The true Democrat., 1855-04-11


 appeared to me, they claimed under very doubtful title the benefits of the treaty of 1885 According to the representations of large DOT tion of the Cherokee tribe, they certainly were not entitled to anything under that treaty: but because they were Indians, and were Cherokees settled within the limits of North Carolina. we have not felt ourselves altogether at liberty to resist their claim to be allowed portion of the consideration gi iven for the Cherokee country generally. The only reason why I make any remark now is, that I thought it was supposed we had done with these Indians forever. We have certainly been liberal to them heretofore: and before we vote them this money, which was appropriated for them upon the condition that they would remove, a very strong case ought to be presented. It ought to be distinct ly understood that we are never to hear of them again as applicants for anything from this go- vernment.
 MT. SEBASTIAN. am sure. from the ten- or of the remarks of the Senator from Tennes- see, that he has not yet comprehended the object of the amendment. It is to avoid the very diff fculty to which he alludes in the case of the New York Indians. It is to terminate the per- petual payment of interests to these Indians. and the employment of agents by the goverr.- ment to pay them the interest, which, all will agree, is a wholly inadequate provision for their permanently remaining in North Carolina. It is thought to be better provision to pav them the principal of that funded amount at once, than continue to pay them the small amount of six per centum interest on the fund which gives to each head of. family only the small pittance of between three and four dollars per annum The Senator made some allusions to thejustice, orignally, of the ctof 1848. voted against that at the time; but the question arising out of the consideration of that claim, is one which is not now open for discussion. Having incurred voluntarily the debt the question is, how we shall best escape the difficulties which follow in its train?
 Mir. Bell. I have very great respect and deference for the views of the Senator from Ar kansas on such questions as this. 1 have had the honor of being colleague of his on the con- mittee on Indian affairs for many years, an,i I know the soundness of his judgment on these questions generally. I do not however, see clearly the ground on which this application is now made; but 1 am disposed, for myself. to defer to the judgment of the committee, though 1 nm not satisfied that this appropriation ought to be made on any ground except that the con- mlttee recommend 1t.
 MT. Hunter. If understand it, this appro- priation was orgnally made upon condition that these Indians would remove That was the consideration. This is the sum which was al- lowed to each Indian for reno val It was grant ed upon that condition. Now, is proposed to relieve them of the condition, and make them present of this sum of money. l only refer to the fact, because it was predicted at the time by those who opposed that provision, that such would be the result Here it is proposed to give to them that sum of money, no matter whether they remove or not; and I understand the pro- vso is that the State of North Carolina shall consent to their remaining within its limits That being the case, I do not see that it can make any difference to the treasury of the Uni ted States whether the amendment passes or not. All that this serves to me is |" to point the moral," and show what is the end of it.
 Mr. Badger desire to say to my friend from Virginia that that is not exactly all that 1t does. The government now pays the interest yearly to these Indians on the principal sum of s53 33 lts question, therefore, between a perpetual annuity, and paying the money and having done with it. That is the state of the case.
 MT. Rlsk IL saves the annual interest.
 Mr. Badger. Certainly we are now paying in-
 
 The amendment agreed to.
 Mir. SEBASTIAN. The next amendment of the committee on Indian affairs is to insert, after the appropriation for the Indian service in California, the following:
 Ic meet the necessary expenses of cOOnzng supporting, and furnishing agricultural imple- nens for the Indians in Texas, $86,43O
 For the purpose of enabling the proper de- partments to adopt such measures as may be necessary for opening communications with the Texas Camanches and Apaches who have not heretofore been parties to any treaties with the United States, S10,OOO.
 Mir. Hunter 1 hope the Senator from Ar kansas will explain this amendment.
 Mir. SEBASTIAN It is and estimated amount recommended by the department for the purpose of carrying out the act of the last session of Congress providing for the removal of the Indians to reservations in Texas. The reservations have been selected by an officer from the Indian department and an officer of the army, and this is the amount estimated for the purpose of removing the Indians and subsisting them on these reservations which have been selected in pursuance of the act of Congress.
 Mir. Hunter. I should like to know how many Indians there are to go on the reserva- tions, when so large an appropriation is now required.
 Mr. SEBASTIAN. cannot exactly ans- Wer the gentleman: but according to the best information we have, there are twelve thousand Indians within the jurisdiction of Texas. I am certain that the amount named in the amendment will be required for the purpose had in view.
 MT. Rusk. This is not only estimated for by the Indian Bureau, butts approved by the secre- tary of the interior, and recommended in ames- sage from the President of the United States. Difficulties existed in reference to the Texas Indians, because there was no place upon which to locate them Propositions were, there fore, made from the Indian Bureau to the State of Texas, through the Indian agent in Texas that the State should assign a tract of land on which to locate the Indians. In pursuance of this request, the Legislature of the State of Tex" as assigned twelve leagues of land for the pur- pose of colonizing the Indians, and surrendered the jurisdiction over this land to the United States. Thereupon, on the recommendation of the Indian department, at the last session of Congress, the sum of $86, 43O was appropriated