, 1859-03-11


it-at least, not to sell at a ruinous dis
count Something has undoubtedly been
done in the matter. An allowance, or an
arrangement of some kind has been made
and hence VIC hope our people will not al
low themselves to become frightened and
sell for q mere song. 1t is worth as much
to the holder as to the purchaser. If he
can afford to buy, you can afford to keep
it, 1t eats nothing-it costs nothing by
being kept, and if there is to bdAny per
centage made in the final settlement, we
would much rather be assured that it went
into the pockets of the holders than those
Of the spectators.
We are thus earnest upon this subject,
because we believe that the larger proper
ton Of the scrip Of this territory is yet in
first hands, or at least in the hands Of citi-
zens of either this territory or Oregon ;
and we should very much dislike to see
eastern capitalists profit by the present
apparent gloomy aspect Of affairs. Our
citizens have fought the war out, on this
side OF the mountains-have survived it
for nearly four years-are now far from
being in distressed circumstances, and
should remember that it is the darkest
hour that prccedeth day.
No reasonable man will pretend to doubt
but that our delegate in Congress has done
all that any one man could do to procure
favorable consideration and action upon
the claims Of our citizens. Nor has he
been unaided in his exertions. In connec-
ton with his own intimate knowledge Of
the claims Of this territory, he has had the
influence, council and advice of Hon. L. F.
GRovER, a member Of the commission that
audited and adjusted them, as well as the
active cooperation of Hons. JOSEPH LANE
and DELAzoN SMITH. If order could have
even been brought out Of chaos, it has
been accomplished.
And yet in their exertions they have
had mountains Of difficulties to contend
against. The defamation and slander Of
our citizens by Ignorant and INSCRIPTIONS
letter writer's they have had to meet and
counteract. Detraction has dogged their
path, malice has met them at every corner,
and the envious, scheming, speculating,
treasury depleters have stood warily by,
Offering every possible obstacle in the way
Of success-fearful that should our people
receive their just dues, some of their favo-
rite plans of plundsr might be frustrated.
As a simple illustration Of the base means
availcd of to prevent favorable legislation
on the war debt, We cannot do better than
give place to the following extract from O
letter of a Washington correspondent oil
the San Francisco Bulletin, which we iiud
in the weekly issue of that paper of the 9th
inst, dated Feb. 5th. Here it is: Is it
hOt q ohocs SCcubeu WOFCeuW
"rhe House Military Committee at Washington,
are iereting out extensive frauds connected with the
Oregon War Debt. OF the whole debt, which Is said
10 amount TO six Millions not more than one million
il IS alleged Is Justly due. Some Of the Items present
astounding differences between the prices charged oI
an article, and its market value. Thus, pistols are
charged at s55 each muskets at sl25 oats at IS per
bashe hay at 500 per ton; and other things In
portion. Mr.. Faulkner, the Chairman Of the Commit
tee s Is said prepared 10 do his whole duty in this
matter, and viii oppose >1he payment of the claims
until every charge Is reduced to It's proper dimensions
As the charges now stand, they make an average
claim Of ell II per day for each mans military ser
vice. Yesterday, the Committee referred the claims
70 The Auditor Of the Treasury for revision to report
to next Congress-"
Comment upon the above would be un
necessary; but against food of such false
and slanderOus emanAtions have the dele
cation in Congress from the two territorie,
had to contend.