The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-19
In CONGRESS- OF THE q. STATES
THURSDAY, JANUARY Is, 1855,


SENATE.
INDIAN HosTnITIra
The PRESIDENT pro TEN laid before the Senate mes
sage from the President of the United States transmitting
letter from the Secretary Of War upon the subject Of In
dian hostiiites and recommending that additional prote
ton be afforded 10 those cmigrang TO California by the
overland route which read.
Mr. GWlN | cannot permit this message 10 be re6uI<1
to the Committee on Military Affairs without expresS1s
my qualification that the government proposes 10 adopt
prompt measures TO protect the egrant routes to Capt
mia and oregon. There have been great many depred
tons committed upon the emigrans during the last year
They have been robbed and murdered at various points
on various routes and 1t Is absolutely necessary that
some such proposed by the Secretary OF War
should be promptly acted upon and sanctioned by Goa
gress. understand, from bearing the message u tbs
President sasd that be asks for authority to call opt mr.
thousand mounted volunteers border who AWayv
ready at short notice to into the service and with
this force and portion Of the regular army chasse
those Indians This is the only course that now be
adopted which will give any guarantee of safety these
emigrant routes The Indians have become audacous
by the mpunity that has heretofore attended their depre
daons that they levy contributions on the emigran who
pass the Plains and if their demand is not complied
WITH they instantly resort to robbery, and even massa
cres.
Now, Mr. President IL we get these volunteers ran
gers like those who followed such commanders Colonel
Hays and Major Mccullough in the Texas Indian wars,
and elsewhere ! have doubt that in less than six
months these Indians will bcpropery chastised We must
have overland route to California and the long delay
of Congress passing the Paccrailroad bill forces
look 10 other OF communication with and defence
Of the Pacific of The United States trust the Com
mttee on Military Affairs in addition to reporting bill
ordering the volunteers to be called out WILL the
time provide for building military road through the
Territories of the United States and the establishment of
suitable military posts, that we may have permanent
protection for the emigration that passes the plains
California. @EsG
We must also, NJ. President, have overland mail /
have prepared measure TO establish weekly express
mail for rapid communication the continent the
pioneer of regular line of mail stages, TO be
rey dependent upon the route which will read to
the Senate: At#a
joint resolution or the establishment of an express mail
weekly between ST. Louis Missouri and San Francisco.
Resoved BY The Senate and House of Representatives Of
the eer Of e 9 United States Se ani hs
hereby directed without delay contract with the best
and most responsible bidder, who shall offer, after ninety
days public nose, to contract to carry express mail
weekly, each way, between ST. Louis IN Missouri, and
San Francisco p California in ten days from city to city,
all letters sent by TO be prepaid and to be charged
fifty cents postage wherever mailed in the States The
mail contractor; but failure (rom any whatever)
to complete rip within fifteen days shall work abso
between the two cities be selected by the contractors
but after the second year. shall not be changed without
pensaion shall exceed Ave thousand dollars per trip
shall establish five temporary military posts proper
points said route when selected the posts to be located
and California and with exclusive reference to
thorough protection OF the mail from hostile Indians which
be at MS The contractor shan have
right under the sanction o the Secretary OF the INTERIOR
" - " .; % " VIC M ~ M ~ ;. sIo uli.eu o.ales, nos e..
G ni " ogG po h 90 nay - "
NJ the svara ations h % " s oe T tht a. M @
nose and shall have ricbt moi exceedng
hundred and sixty 10 said land at said stations when
brought market SALE provided such do
not town Sites And said Secretary shall acquire from
Indian owners when necessary the to establish suit
abe stations az convenient intervals along the route that
may be selected to carry the express mail The con
sn NOV ce Iequlreu 70 ease or receive letters
n ho ho,o , un hnSod % nnJ s @ pts' @ moi - carry
the afrasad comnansaton banaver the Iet,ars c"yad
exceed that weight he shall for The overpus receve
pro rata allowance The four intermediate postmasters
shall be allowed etain the mail at their offices not to ex
ceed twenty minutes EACH No schedule of arrivals and de-
parues the ermn of the route BY mutual agree
giving the contractor ninety days notice AT the inerme
ounces .ne Gays o anu may ne hfea
oy ae .; :, IN nu T; mail s pe nr1ush
od arncJ and no;d hv tha Sacaa;, - ard
an an, nnr,;on af ,b ronta "a Ia 5atsr;naJ ~ tha p
master General After tbe first yenrs service for three
secuve failures to deliver the mails at either end of the
route fifteen days after its reception by the contract
men of the contract The service to be commenced at
rod not later than one year from the date OF the contract
hone this measure win receive prompt and favorable
action on the part of the Committee on the Post Office and
Post Roads to which II win be referred The citizens Of
California and Missouri are ready TO make such contract
and have the EXPRESS in successful operation in six months
They are already MOVING in favor nf mail saoe-route
and this will give them that immediate Government aid
which 4 necessary 10 nut such staceronte into gcce
ful operation
The cost of this weekly EXPRESS cannot exceed S2so 900
per annum and tho postage on letters weighing two hum
dred pounds will give the department revenue largely
exceeding the that will be paid the contractors