, 1857-05-22
TAs Washington aud oregon Suprin-
tendency,

Three weeks since we alluded to the
union Of Washington and Oregon in one
superintendency as the crowning act Of in
justice to this Territory, and intimated our
intention af resuming the subject at greater
length at another time.
We have no objections to make to the
appointment Of Col. j. W. NEsMrH, OF
Oregon. A firm. unwaveriag democrat
o gentleman Of large practical knowledge
and. experience, thoroughly devoted to the
development aud best interests Of the
Pacific coast-we do not for a moment
doubt bis will, to impartially administer his
difficult and multifarious duties and we
trust he will succeed in demonstrating the
wisdom and practicability of merging the
Washington and Oregon Superintendencies
thus showing our own predictions to be
groundless, that nothing but mischief will
result from the act. We are more anxious
for the honor and efficiency of the public
serVice-for the future peace Of the settle
ments and the general welfare Of the Indi-
al race hereafter, than for the veri6cation
Of our own special views and opinions.
We object TO the union Of the Superin.
tendencies, amongst others, for the follow
ing reasons
LIST. The enormous aud unprecedented
amount Of public service that will thus be
thrown upon one officer, will make it, we
apprehend, impracticable for him to give
the proper attention to it. Necessarily,
much Of the business must be neglected.
ID. Phe Importance TO the peace Of the
country. Of rigidly carrying out the exist
ing system-which is-the direct and i'm.
mediate supervision Of all parts Of the
SuPerintendency by the Superintendent ol
Indian Aiiairs-and only one step removed
from the authorities at Washington.
Sd. The entire dlstinctness Of the inter.
ests and management Of the Indians of the
two Territories-especially in their rela-
tions with the tribes east Of the mountains,
and the tribes north Of the 49th parallel.
Ath. The condition Of affairs on Puget
Sound.
The number Of Indians in Oregon
under the supervision Of the service may be
estimated at about twelve thousand, as we
have been informed, whilst in Washington,
the census shows but little less than twenty.
two thousand. These Indians, especially
west Of the Cascade mountains, are greatly
snb-diVided into tribes and bands, aud from
their immediate contiguity to the settle
ments, their relations with the public have
become very complicated. The country
under the sanction Of the government, was
settled las we have frequently obser, ed J,
before any steps were taken to extinguish
the Indian title and when the necessary
action was had to extinguish the Indian
title. and commissioners appointed for that
purpose, the government, except in q few
cases, have refused to ratify the acts Of
their own officers. Thus, the spectacle is
this day presented Of the government per.
tinaciously refusing to make amends for it,
own injustice-in appropriatins the land,
Of the Indians without their consent-by
confirming treaties subsequently, entered
into with these tribes, providing for them
livery moderate compensation. The Indian
has not his land-it is in the hands of the
white man, under the authoritative sane.
ton Of his government, and the same gov.
ernmeut refuses to ratfy the treaties oil
compensation made by its positive instruc.
tions to remedy the injustice.
Thus our Indian relations are very criti.
cal, which requires vigilance, caution and
personal ascendency over the Indian to
prevent extreme difficulty The duties Of
the service, as our readers well know, have
vastly increased within the last two years
Il has become not so much question a:
70 tne management oil tribes and bands, a!
Of individuals. Many agents aud employ
ses are required to guard the rights o
the Indians as well as the whites-to watcl
the first symptoms of disadection, anC
promptly apply the remedy. This condi
ton Of affairs must continue until the tribes
under treaties, are permanently located OIL
reservations, aud all the seeds of disaffec
tion killed out.
II We understand bis duties Alright, under
the existing state of affairs, the Superin.
tendsnt of Indian affairs is not simply a
bureau officer. His duty is not now simply
that Of correspondence and auditing ac.
counts. lie is required by law to make
payment TO Indians, under treaties, in per.