The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
EXPENSES OF INDIAN H0STILITIES IN OREGON
AND WASHINGTON TERRITORIES.

/
Committee on Military Affairs TO ask that that COMMITTEES
be discharged from the further consideration OF Dill
H r. No 6ss) providing for paying the awards Of IN.
commissioners appointed by the Secretary of War; under
the eleventh section of the act OF Congress approved
August l8, 1856, entitled aAn act making appropr-
aons for certain civil expenses of the government oi
the year ending the Both of June 1857 In making this
report the committee do not wish to be understood as ex
pressing any opinion against the payment OF volunteers
called out IN Oregon and washington AT inc last ses
make an examination into this matter and authorizing
him to appoint for that purpose commission OF three OIL
GERS to go to Oregon and Washington WE have nel,ei
fore 1t s deemed that action would at this time be pre-
mature.
Mr.. LANE ask and earnestly reqsest the favorable
attention OF the House the few remarks have TO submit
upon the action of the Committee Military Affairs IN
reference to this bill
permitted to remark that aaa not little sur
ped at the decision rendered by the committee upon this
question The people OF Oregon and Washington Terrific
deserve better treatment They American citzens
and live upon American SOIL and therefore expect and are
entitled to the defence and protection OF government
and justly entitled to pay for services and expenses
incurred in defending the settlements from the tomahawk
and scaping-knife Of the merciless savage.
The bill, summarily condemned by the committee
authorizes the Secretary of War to pay such claims as
be allowed by board Of commissioners who appoint
ed under act passed by Congress during the last SEES
son authorizing him to appoint such board to examine
and report upon the claims of the people for services and
SO incurred in defence Of their homes and resdes
if in his Judgment the awards reported by the commits
sioners should be deemed by him just and proper.
The commission appointed by the Secretary of War; un-
der the provisions of this act composed of two disn-
guished army officers and civilian whose capacity and
integrity wholly unimpeachable 1t is therefore, fair
to inernay the conclusion is the awards
of this commission at honest and just There,
then, be objection to the passage of the measure
upon the ground that gentlemen may entertain apprehen-
sons OF unjust exorbant claims against the government
under the provisions of this bill Yet honorable MEM
Der of that committee reports this BILL with mere verbal
statement that the committee have unanimously instructed
him TO report the bill to this House. with the recommends
ton that ii do not pass 1t s not dgnifed with
written report of any description whatever Those the
most deeply interested in the passage of the bhey who
have braved the errors of the battlefield in defence of
unprotected rontiersso far the action of this commit
influenced the action of the committee in the summary
demnatOn of this measure important and essential
to them.
do not desire to detaiu the action of the House by
repetition of the description Of the and operations
of the in which people have unfortunately been
seriously involved and in which many of best ct
enceless settlements and Major Hser surrounded
and his whole force likely to be destroyed by the
through the governors appeal made to the people
for aid and assistance The people promptly responded to
the CALL and remained engaged in the service for months
enduring greater prvaons hardshps and suerngs than
any volunteers have suffered since the days of the revo
ton.
1t was urged last session. as reason why bill should
not pass that there great discrepancy in the reports
of the accounts of the given by the officers of the army
and by the civil officers Of the government In order to
in the premises the board Of commissioners have just
stated appointed and in this way the objection
rred to has been obvated Upon the statements Of the
then opponents of the measure the army officers
accusers and they accepted by judges in
deciding upon the merits of claims. To the decisions
of this commission the people ready and content to sub
nit Mr. Speaker ask by this bill that the Secretary of
War shall be authorized upon the report OF that commits
son pay such awards in his Judgment just right
and proper.
Now sir it is urged that action should be had until
the and vouchers approved by this commission
shall all be reported This commission composed of high
toned gentlemen One of them is Captain 1nges of the
Quartermasters department. and another Captain A. j.
Smith, of the dragoons and Hon. L. f. Grover 1t is also
pleaded that there is precedent for such legislation
this Allow me TO suggest that IN every Indian war you
of Congress- adjust allow and pay the expenses
cessarily incurred Now why should Oregon and Wash
ngton which have suffered than any portion Of the
country be refused that justice invariably meted the
people OF every other portion OF the country This
morning. and but few minutes ago, bill was reported
Secretary of War to adjust and settle the expenses Of the
people Of Nebraska Territory in defending themselves
against Indian depredaons Why this discrimination be.
tween the people OF Nebraska and the people of Oregon
and Washington
have disposition to arragn the action Of the Com
mittee Military Affairs yet it is my duty, 1t is my
people of Oregon Territory and ask that for them the
justice should be done has been extended to American
citizens in every other portion of the country We ask
mere We only ask that you shall pay the accounts al
Secretary of War; after they have passed the commission
If the Secretary of War have any doubt upon the
ton he will not allow the accounts if he has doubt
he will approve them Why should the claims of the peo
pie Of Oregon be deferred while those of all Others
vided for2 1t but few years ago when the then
members of this House co-oPerated with me- and by their
votes authorized the Secretary of War adjust the
penses incurred in 1853 in with the Roguerver In
dans They asked not for certificates then but authorized
the Secretary of War to adjust and settle the accounts
And believe that those who watch and guard the
ury with than others in favor of that bill
The Secretary adjudcaed the claims himself and paid
them and member of this House knew anything about
the amount of the expenses.
But now, when commission has been appointed, with
instructions TO examine the claims of the people of the
two Territories for expenses in that war; and pass upon
hem and make such allowance for services they may
deem proper 1t is said here that these people 81 all
have justice done to them but must await the action of
another Congress- Is 1t just2 B it rght2 Do you feel
land, who have incurred greater expenses, endured
labor suffering and exposure than any other people to
reach their homes and there TO settle up the country
They American citizens and live American soil.
Shall justice be refused them Will the Committee on
Military Affairs say that Justice shall be dealt out to
them And If So will the House, by its action say that
1t is just that American citizens should be thus treated by
this Congress hope not Mr. Speaker hope that the
pert the committee may not be in by the House
but that the guarded measures which have been taken will
be carried out as cam for moment fear injustice
or overaowance. venture to say that commission of
army officers cannot be had in the country which would
be so untrue to themselves to allow any citizen more
than he is entitled to for his services would they al
low expenses not properly justly and correctly incurred
No, sir, there is no fear of any such thing
ask Mr. Speaker in behalf of the people of Oregon and
Washington Territories that the report of the committee
may be set aside and that the bill may be referred to the
Committee of the Whole the state OF the Union where
we will have opportunity of discussing it and having