, 1856-11-14
War Claim Commission.

We learn that the Commissioners recently appoint
ed by the Secretary Of War-Capt. ingalls, and Smith,
and h. r. Grover, ESP to audit the war claims, have
met and compared notes. They have as yet received
no particular instructions how to proceed. They lock-
for Instructions by this steamer--shond none arrive,
they will proceed to examine and pass upon claims.
The commission. we have every reason to believe,
will be highly satisfactory u claimants, and to the
government at home. They have an arduouS task,
hut they are just the men to perform II we'll. We
tce that our friend of the Pioneer and Democrat com
plains that Of the commissioner was not selected
from Washington Territory but we believe on refcc-
tiOn. that he will conclude that his complaints
roneors. Capt ingalls, resides in Washington Terri
tory, Capt. Smith has been In charge Of portion Of
the troops in southern Oregon, and Mr. Grover. ci.
william. is taken from rather central position and We
do not entertain the least doubt but what the claims of
Washington Territory will receive equal consideration
at the hands Of the commissioner will these of Or
egon. Let us await and see before condcmning them
in advance.-Or'gOn 1ints, Oct Is.
All the citizens, Of both Territories, have
certainly most ample cause, heartily to re-
joice, that a commission has been appointed
by direction Of Congress, to audit md ad-
just the debt incurred in the prosecution Of
the Indian war by the volunteers, by au.
thority Of Governors STEVENS and Curry;
and it is no less source of qualification,
to be advised of the promptness with which
they have assembled, and are about to en-
ter upon their duties-arduous and perplex-
ing as they will no doubt find the task to
be. A position as a member Of the board,
they are all perhaps well aware, is by no
means desirable, requiring, as it will, the
exercise Of the utmost care, patience, and
impartiality, as well as oil the ability, sound
discretion, and decision of character, of
which it is fair to presume the board is ad.
equately possessed The commission has
organized, and it is confidently anticipated
that dispatch of business will follow.
In his allusion 10 US, in the above ex-
tract the editor Of the Tines is in error If
he supposes, in the remarks made by us
on this subject, o fsg weeks since, we
had any intention of conveying the idea
that injustice would be done this Territory
by the commission, as organized. As far
as our knowledge of the gentlemen com.
prising it is concerned, we believe them to
be incapable of discriminating between this
and Oregon Territory, in the adjustment of
our war debt, unjustly TO our citizens. In
this view, we could have no possible objee-
ton to either of the members, and certain
ly none from any private or personal con-
sidcrations. 1t was our understanding,
however that eipaiaR from either Terri
tory, and an officer of the army, were to
comprise the commission, hence our notice
Of the slight this Territory had received in
being deprived of such representative.
Were we called upon to select gentle
man Of the regular service on this coast, to
act in the capacity of such commissioner,
we believe we would have preferred Capt.
INGALLS, TO oil others. His long residence
amongst the citizens of this Territory-his
intimate knowledge Of their situation, and
the position of things around them, past
and present, and his long familiarity with
the Quartermaster service, points him out
above all other officers Of the army, as ex-
acily Tie man for the position; and it is
most likely that Capt. SMITH will bring with
him, from southern Oregon, an experience
which will enable him cordially to co-ope-
rate with Capt. INGALLS,. Mr.. GROVER is
no doubt as good an appointment as could
have been made in Oregon, and our only
" complaint" was, that civilian from
each Territory should not have been ap-
pointed on the commission, for various rea-
sons
~. NJ mama AL;. ....al. II IL s..A..