, 1856-10-24
QuartermaSter and COmmISSary GencraI''
Sale Of Public Property.

Sale Of Public Property.
The sale of pnblic property at this place,
used or procured for the use Of the volun-
teer service Of the Territory, (Which COM
menced on the 25d and closed on the 29th
ult., was very largely attended through
out and through the determination of
the head of those departments that no
especial favors should be shown-that the
most rigid impartiality should be observed
in its disposition, We believe that universal
satisfaction has been given. At the auction
stand, no favoriiism was shown to any, in
consequence Of their worldly wealth or
honors," and to the highest bidder, only,
was awarded the property, let him have
been rich or poor. Equal and exact JUS
tice to all " was strictly observed As yet,
we are unable to state the precise amount
Of the proceeds Of the sales, but are quite
sure that the property disposed of on the
Sound, at this place, Steilacoom, New
Market, &C., will foot up not less than
$4,000, aud may reach $4,000. And at
a rough estimate, it has been computed
that the sales Of all the Quartermaster and
Commissary property throughout the Ter
ritory, when finally concluded, will not fall
short of 100000. This, of course, will
include the sales yet to take place at the
Dalles, Fort Vancouver, &c.
We have no definite means Of ascertain
ing the relative per eentage for which the
various articles sold, as compared with the
amount paid for the same. but are led to
believe, from such data as we have been
able to gain access to, that an average of
at least 80 per cent. has been realized over
cost.
Horses and cattle, particularly, com
manded a very extravagant price = the
former ranging at from 500 10 $780,
This may be accounted for in the fact that
the regular and volunteer service combined
had pretty thoroughly drained the Terri
tory Of work animals, and their require
ment in the pursuit Of agriculture, forced
the price thus unusually exhorbitant
Clothing, and perhaps some other articles
may not have reached the cost price but
averaging all things round-the outlay of
scrip compared with the receipt on sales,
and we have every assurance that at least
80 per cent. has been realized to the gov
ernment to the credit Of the department.
And here we have most practical and
palpable refutation Of the foul, stale SANDER
Of Gen. Wool, and his hnrpies, that the
war against the Indians was provoked
was commenced by the people Of this and
Oregon Territory with an object Of plunder-
ing the public treasury. All such insane,
idiotic libels upon our people and authori-
ties are destined ultimately to recoil with
a crushing force upon their INSCRIPTIONS
authors. A war to plunder the United
States treasury, indeed What better
evidence need be adduced to establish the
utter worthlessness Of such miserable
falsehood than the matter-offact demon.
stration that our farmers, mechanics, labor
ersr merchants, al, after promptly stepping
forward and advancing to our authorities,
for the use Of the volunteer service-for
selp-horses, cattle, wagons, provisions
clothing-euery.Aing requisite for that SER
vice and then, after said stock and arti
cles had been in the public use for from
three to nine months, that the same classes
Of our citizens are willing, nay, anxious to
take the same articles back again-to re
purchase the same for like consideration
for which 1t was procured, at 80 per cent.
abOrs aetEdl cost.
In view Of the fact that Congress has
now recognized the legitimacy Of our volun-
teer war Indebtedness by the appointment
of commission to adjust and audit the
same, and as the prospect now bids fair
that every dollar Of every just claim will be
paid at no distant day. does not the fore
going statement Of facts give the lie in the
teeth to the charge that our authorities
had purchased all articles for the public
service at the most outrageOusly exhorbit.
ant prices | As present prospects encour-
. age the belief that Congress will authorize
the commencement Of payment Of the war
debt within the next twelve months, would