The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-28

part of the actual correspondence was not re-
ported to Congress, of course, not printed. This
was letter from that gentleman, to the Presi-
dent, dated December 10th, 1854, against Col
Manypenny, calling upon the President to deal
with him, in 81 proper" manner. AS the
Commissioner was not removed, it is not un-
likely that the letter was withheld, because
Col. Davis subsequently obtained some new
light, or, out of regard to his feelings, it was
thought best that he should not appear before
the Public, as an unsuccessful complainant.
The Letter is copied by the New York Eren.
ing Post from the Leavenworth Herald, of
March 2lst, but how the editor obtained pos
session of copy doth not appear:
From the Leavenworth Herald, March 81
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,
| December l6, 1854.
SIR: have the honor herewith to transmit
copy of a letter this day received from the Com.
manding General of the army, calling attention
| to a statement in the published report of the
| Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in relation to
| the murder of Lieutenant Grattan and his COM
mand, which statement is considered an act of
injustice to the army, and Misrepresentation
| of the important facts in the case. All the re-
| liable information received at this Department
confirms the view taken by the Commanding
| General of the transaction; and it is charitable
| to suppose that the assailment of the Commits
| sioner was the result of the ignorance incident
| to his want of any personal observation of the
| matter of which he so recklessly writes.
| In submitting this subject to your considera-
ton, also invite your attention to the fact, that
| the same report of the Commissioner contains
a renewal of the accusations heretofore made by
him against officers stationed at Fort Leaven-
worth, which was the subject of inquiry, and the
| result some time since laid before you. The
replies of the officers, then communicated dis
prove every material averment of the Commits
sioner in relation to them, and it was to have
been hoped that moral considerations would
have prevented him publishing his gratuitous
| accusations, even if he could not recognise the
improperly of invading the limits of distinct
Department of your Administration, and of as
Stunning to judge of matters which you had
thought proper to consign to the care of an
other.
This indelicacy was not confined simply to
narrative of events, but extended to radical
change in the military system of the country;
proposing to control the Indians by the organi-
cation of new kind of force, which, with more
assurance than would become veteran Gener-
al, he pronounces better adapted to the service.
l have deemed it due to the army, and to the
Department of which | have charge, to invite
your special attention to the injustice and dis
courtesy, and to ask of your hand what may
seem to you proper in the case.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JEFFERSON DAVIS, Secretary of Var.
To the President.
Col. Manypenny is still Commissioner, and
this fact shows that the President took differ
ent view of his conduct from that taken by his
Secretary. We have yet to learn, however, that
any measures have been adopted by the Presi-
dent to show his disapprobation of the conduct
of the accused officers probably he was unwill-
ing to come to an open issue with the Secreta-
ry of War. But, towards Governor Reeder and
the other Territorial officials, he has not shown
quite so much forbearance, as appears by the
following letter:
w. L. Marcy to Governor Reeder.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, June IL, 1855.
SIR: am directed by the President to in
form you that with the developments before
him in reference to purchases of Kansas half
breed reservations made by you in the Territory
of Kansas and in which, as you state, Judges
Johnston and Gilmore, of the Supreme Court
| of the Territory, and Mr.. Isaacs, the District
Attorney, participated and in reference also to
other speculations by you in lands of the Ter
| ritory, apparently In violation of acts of Con-
gress and of regulations of the Department. he
| feels embarrassed to see how, consistently with
his convictions of duty, he can allow the present
| official relation to the Territory of yourself or
| of either of the other gentlemen named to con.
| tinue, unless the impressions which now rest
| upon his mind shall be removed by satisfactory
| explanations.
| The President will, however, be glad to re.
ceive and consider any explanations which you
| may desire to make in regard to the character
| and extent of the transactions above referred
to- and particularly the matters spoken of in
the letter of G. W. Clarke, Indian agent, dated
May 8, 1855, and addressed to the Superintend-
ent of Indian Affairs for Kansas, a copy of
which was forwarded to you at Easton, on the
9Th instant.
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, w. l.. MARCY.
Hon. A. II. Reeder, care Of John Cochran,
Surveyor, de-, City Of New York
A similar letter, June 14th, was addressed
by Attorney General Cushing, to Judges John
ston and Gilmore and Col. Isaacs, Attorney OF
| the Territory. Governor Reeder promises re-
ply on his arrival in Kansas. 1t Is not likely
that any of the gentlemen named will be able
to render explanations satisfactory to the Pres
ident so that we presume they will all be dis
missed from office.
Mr.. Atchison and his associates will doubt
less exult over the decapitation of Gov. Reeder,
hut so will Col Manypenny, and other advo-
Gates of fair and honest dealings with the In.
dams, who yet detest the conduct of the Multi
fers.
In this matter, we cannot yet impute to the
President any desire to crafty Mr.. Atchison
and his friends, or to further their conspiracy.