Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-23

that particular and fearful point Strange notions
seem to emanate from the minds of some men In
relation to this subject. They seem to think that
ours is a monarchical and not a simple and pure
democratic form Of government. Hence their
notions Of a largely extravagant police force.
A MORMON UsURPArIoN. agent Twiss, in
charge of the Indians of the Upper Platte, re-
ports to the Interior Department, under date
of the 18th July, that band Of Mormons, un-
der pretence of q contract with the Mormon
church for the transmission of the Salt Lake
mails giving them right to take up lands
there, took possession of the valley of Deer
| Creek, 100 miles west of Fort Laramie, on the
25th May last, in which Agent 7. had located
a band of Sioux, to whom, by treaty with the
United States, the said valley belongs. The
Mormans there already number some 800, and
have buildings to accommodate 500 persons
They have ploughed and planted 200 acres.
1t has been decided, by the by, that the Ter
ritorial mail contractors presumption privileges
do not extend to Indian lands But in this case
the pretence Of that right is a false one, there
| being no such mail contract in existence with
| the Mormon church, as that on which the Nor
mon claim of right to occupy the valley in ques
ton is based Agent Twiss asks Government
aid to enable him to dispossess the intruders,
which We presume will promptly be granted.
TIE NAVAL Courts OF INQUIRY.-Before
Court No. l, to-day, the defence Of 1t. Watson
was read. Lieut.. Breese was then examined on
the Governments behalf in the case Of ex-
Passed Midshipman March, whose defence was
about being read by Mr.. Blount, his counsel,
as the Star went to press.
| Before Court No. 2, to-day, documentary
evidence was read and submitted in the case Of
Mr.. Gray, who is sufficiently recovered to en-
able the Court to go on with it.
Before Court No 3 the case of exit. Hillary
Rhodes (dropped) was to be taken up to-day,
that being the only one ready for trial. The
applicant, however, not appearing up to noon,
the Court adjourned until tomorrow to give
him an opportunity of appearing.
Irs SuBsrANcK-The Attorney General 8
opinion on the important pension law question
which has been the subject of discussion in the
Star Of late, was rendered yesterday. He is
said to hold that there is no law Of Congress
which will enable the children or grandchildren
of revolutionary soldier to sustain q claim
| against the Government based on the mere fact
that their ancestor performed services for which
a pension might have been allowed him. Our
impression is that his opinion does not cover
the question of the duty of the Pension Bureau
with reference to the cases of heirs so far as
rights may have accrued to them through pre-
cedents-the practice of this Bureau.
| he
agraph saying that Captain Buchanan, U. S. n,
was knocked down last week, on the eastern
shore of Maryland, is untrue. 1t probably
grew out of the fact that some two months
since he had difficulty with gentleman there
resulting in a personal collision, wherein he,
Capt. b. } was the assailant, which difficulty,
however, has since been amicably and satisfac-
torlly settled.
The Ell PAsO AND FORT YUMA WAGON ROAD.
Advices have reached the Interior Department
| from Superintendent Leach, in charge of the
| expedition constructing this work. 1t reached
| Preston, Texas, on the Odd August ultimo, and
was to leave for Ell Paso on the Rio Grande.
The impediments to travelling had delayed the
party not little up to that pont-Preston.
All on the expedition we're in very satisfactory
health. They had good grazing and water in
prospect ahead of them
PUBLIC SURVEYS ON THE ST. Louis RIVER
AND LAKE SUPERIoR.-Returns Of the public
surveys have been received at the General Land
Office of the subdivisional character embracing
whole and fractional townships so and 81 N r.,
Ii W., and 4S, 49 and 80, north Of range Is W.
of the 4th principal meridian in Minnesota, in
Guiding towns Of Fond du Lac, Belleville, and
Clifton-the former on St. Louis river, and the
two latter Lake Superior. The foregoing
surveys amount to y 900 acres.
To BE DErACBED.-We apprehend that Capt.
Van Brunt, U. S. Navy, will be to-day relieved
from service for the next eight or ten days in
the Naval Court of Inquiry No. 2. Dangerous
sickness in his family requiring his immediate
presence at home, is understood to be the cause
of his application for temporary leave. 1t Is
thought that Capt. Theodore Bailey will supply
his place during his absence.
LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS APpoINTED-Solon
M. Studley has been appointed keeper of Mi
nOt's Ledge light-vessel, Massachusetts,, vice
John Litchfeld resigned-salary 500 per an
| mum. Thomas Stevens, TO be assistant keeper
of Seven-foot Knoll lighthouse, Maryland, vice
| VIM E. Bassford, resigned-salary $500 per
annum.
| THE CHASGEs.-It seems to be understood
that yesterday afternoon commissions were
made out for DR.. Tate, of Virginia, to be Sixth
Auditor of the Treasury, vice Phillips; and for
j. Madison Cults, Esq, of this city, to be the
Second Comptroller Of the Treasury, vice Brod-
head. That understanding is incorrect No
such commissions have been made out SO far.
| REsIGSED.-Reed Fletcher, Esq, U. S. Dis
trict Attorney for the eastern district of Arkan
5 3, has resigned.
| The Central America Disaster.
| The circumstance that the Central America
| was the George Law under new name has given
rise to some discussion as to the proprety Of such
| changes She was not liked by many who had
| sailed in her Ii Is stated that Rev. DR.. Happier
| sett one of the secretaries Of the Board Of Do