The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-05
Dr. WOxsncraft's Claim on the Government.
TO TIKI EDITOR or THE HERALD.

IN appointments, 6G.
Dr. WOxencraft's Claim the Government.
TO TIKI EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
WAsMsarss, April 1857.
Your correspondent, 10 in a corner, Herrck" having
Included my name as one whose claims on tho govern
msnt should be watched may be proper that should
make brief statement Of thu facts, not much with
view Of furnishing information TO those who am per-
suaded melted and dictated the matter to him. in JUS
tice to myself and those who wish to know the facts
In 1850 act of Congress authorized the creation Of
commission TO make treaties with The Indians In California
and elsewhere. In pursuance Of that act myself with
Others appointed to mako treaties with the California
Indians. The commission full one, and without
restrictions. The instructions were imperatiye-in the
language of tho commission 'To make such treaties and
compacts with them 0he Indians) might deem Just
and propcr and in the language of the instructions, "by
all possible conciao the good feelings OF tho In
dams and get them raty those feelings by entering
into treaties binding them towards the govern
ment and each other"
Tho wisdom and foresight Of the made sp
parent the emergency which after occred-tho
Indians In California having commenced on tho fast
sncroachpg whites and before the commission entered
their duties In the Held The Indians had already done
much Mischief LIE and property had been tai en- miners
and traders driven from The mountain; the indians
we're active In perec;ng combinations With doent tribes;
indeed, promised TO be general and protc.ed war;
for at the time the IndiaEs numerous and only
CURED the dangerous experience OF in order 10 make
them formidable. They did not lack the courage They
are brave any Of tho sborgines OF this connsIt,
and the advantages possessed by them IN their mountain
Businesses would have made them formidable and proven
an eectual barrier the advance of tho Industrial pop
la,ion in the State Tho Executive Of State called DOT
battalous ef men, and sent them into the hsa Tho com
mandsr Of the Pacific division sent out all Of hs dpabe
forco With the commission, ard finally peace was madc
lad VarthA fc
esectnaiy prevented, all Of which effected by simply
parsung humane pacific policy.
Our object was ss Tar "a pslibe to remove the cause
OF the war, which nparious necessity, necessity
which knows law beyo that OF self preservation Tho
encroachmenis of the whites had not only deprived them
OF their accustomed hunting and fishing grounds tho
ynroup Indigenous products which had afforded them q
substance, but, IN addition 70 those deprivatons they
frequently cruelty and nhumaney treated. They
had alternative left them but to take food when and
where they could get H. AMI learn to depend upon them
may be inferred that il was nos very popular In any
one to attempt defend protect them Ia practice
which though natural and common with the cvi.
zed races yet Of course, jused 10 savage
and yet Is worthy OF remark that tho unexpected
cess OF The In peace Was matter
ofgeporaI commcuda thraug the state by the
ami the community at large; but, unfortunately the public
appreciation has thus become TOO general to escape the
argus eyes Of poltlous and tho meshcs, which they
are but too well skilled IN weaving Consequently tho
WHO'D matter drawn into tho political arena, and thus
II became leading question prior 10 the general election
in the autumn Of 1851 much So that the leading candi
dates those for Congress and the Snatewere inerroaied
he Commission, which tho domesciion Of the IN
dans within the borders c The state, 70 bring them down
out u their mountain Businesses end place Gu reservation
IN the plains, and learn Them 70 earn tir bread by the
sweat Of their brow
twas popular theme for those who aspred for popular
favor dcnoupco the Commits the federal s0wor
which would seize the best Lands "a tho STATE for the
worthless Indians. Tie Legislature otk the mater Up,
and Buncohe spcecbes were tho order OF he day and m
course, Congressional delegation could do less.
Accordingly Hon. Senator Gwn, proceeded at once 3,
administer extcrnator, not 10 tho Indians howeye-,
I.st. q. Atsga
they speedily sent 81 aorn the walks OF private lie.
The tf au@ were sent 10 tho tomb Of CapuIeta.
II due 70 the honorable Senator 10 state my couyc
lion has been that he was mpeled 10 take this course
partly from Of public duty, a. relationship had
always been ola most friendly natnrc; and, indeed
subsequently sATped that b. anxious ~ make
0rabe exception In my particular iavor, but that Il
found dnhcuh TO make distinctou segregas mere
We'll the honorable secrs,ary u mo Interior evidently
rot wiling W be outdone sent the whole matter " ecn-
ess consequently The acts and Accounts OF his sgens
tue be called for amount Of money that ha might
into the matter, bit tho senate thought they had
done quite enough killing the obnoxious treaties and
not feel called on 10 administer restorative.
Thus, IL viii DO perceived the honorable Secretary
sbnera,cn a duty IN referring the matter 10 Congress sy
which no has permitted the imputon 10 rest his subor
dns.es that they had been dereBct In their dnic and
the time refused 10 eyamino into Inc matter "
clear that the path OF duty to him 20 examine into the
Of his subordinaiss, FOR nothing than to bold
them responsible Tor any derelsctous, aud do think
fcvnd 10 have acted in good faith
bss worthy OF remark that the policy Instituted by Tho
Commission, the condemnation or which resulted the
rejection OF the treaties and Our determination, into
favor just so soon were set aside and tho Indians
not only permitted h. remain within the STATE but
on the reservations This may all be owing tho srnpia
mc-which, strange 10 say, must have been overlooked
@ re, MAJ, p o @ s 70 ., w. VIM
pacific measures had been 40 unpopular hey could not
well 20 for that, i suppose.
Tere IA This material difference, however, IN tho pre-
sent policy and that instituted by the Commission. Ths
treaties provided that tho Indians should receive limited
ana amosss 81 od e'.s s , 49, .ecc ayr
years, after which time they would Be prepared and
CURED 20 support themselves under The ofsupcrin
appropriations sutelent not only for the Indians, but
FOR The numerous employees. Appropriations hsvo
BE- continued I'D infasar Indeed ,e appropriations up
10 the present time would have been sufficient 10 meet the
anonni called Cor By the trese, and but reasonable
N ccpclude that they viii be cotnucd ~ long ~ thore
an Indian 70 be fed or politician who wants place.
fwoud merely state in conclusion that succeeded scr
many years exericp, IN getting an examination into my
accounts, BY act OF the late Congress, and that they
we're found Just and correct and that too by commissioner
Maneypaney. Ny fidelity has nov ihe enforcement q the
department Tho only matter further 10 BE- determined
4 whether or no wac justified IN Assuming respcnsihiH
lies beyond The actual amoani Of approrriacn respons
nites which were only assumed BY me on the presum-
ed concurrent acton e CoBgrers and the Indian Depart
mem In his msuer I have counted without "mne
host for there has been concurrent action Of Congress
OF the Department, further than recommendation BY
Commtsoper Luke Lea 10 Congress, thai tn9 accounts
Orrh TO be sred ON just and equitable priscipo.
of Claims by tho parties Interested, and i u to be
hoped that they may be allowed 10 ~ into mo
Investigations OF them unhiac by the adjudicson OF
hosc who wond appear to have o.er aud uteFior
view than that Of fsl and impartial Investigation of
the matter.
may ~ allowed sa,e TIA, the amount n resrcnsi
bcs assumed by Il not than one third OF the
amount already paid nv Congress r tho servcc Of vorn
tiers In prosecuting those Indian wars, which were
only brought 70 stermnston by the pacific policy pur.
sued BY thus proving the policy 10 be good one and
Al the ~me time establishing the important TACT mat ~
cheaper-without bringing the question OF humanity into
the argumentto feed the Indians and cutter 'hem ,o hvs
thas " " ~ vaso war ~ DETERMINATION
Very rcspecsnlly your geedens servant