Nebraska advertiser., 1859-12-15

A|L ~ N0NAA
The condition Of the Capitol building
demands immediate attention. A proper
representation from the Legislature TO
Congress would, l believe, secure such
necessary appropriation as, may be saf-
ficient 10 complete the building and make
il convenient for use, and safe.
Fifty thousand dollars appropriated by
Congress and sixty thousand dollars fur
nished by the City Of Omaha alone, have
been expended and the house is still un.
finished. It is estimated that about thir-
" thousand dollars will be required to
finish the whole work. and thus save the
sums already expended from being little
better than a dead loss.
During the last spring and 10 the ear
ly part of the summer, The settlers, par
ticularly in the Platte Valley and about
the Elk Horn River, were subjected TO
depredations and oUtrages by the Paw
nee Indians, Of the most aggravated char
acter. For a season, no n within their
reach was safe in person, habitation or es-
tate. The citizens residing in districts
not very thickly settled we're exposed to
personal insult and violence, and their
property not only secretly stolen, but TAX
en- boldly and driven away IN the presence
of themselves and families. Houses
were broken into and ~plundered Of their
entire contents, and In some cases fami-
lies were turned out without a home
Post Offices were entered by violence,
and the mail of the United States either
r ILL - 100000 TLn no1rIn &c thu
neighborhood organized as well as they
could, for their protection, and finally, on
the first of July, appealed to the Execu-
tive for assistance. During my Temporal
nv absence from the Capitol, and with the
appreciation Of Secretary Morton, an ex-
peditiun was organized, under the mill
tary direction Of General Thayer, and
started as promptly as possible for the
scene Of trouble. Information being
communicated to me by express, l start
ed Immediately for the Capital, having
with me a few Government troops, n
der Lieutenant Robertson, Of the ORA
81 goons, and arrived at Omaha on the even
ing Of July 9Th. With those troops and
some volunteers, / came up with the ex-
petition early on the morning of the Sth.
The whole force numbered about 200
men and was placed under the immedi-
ate command Of General Thayer. After
a forced march of four days, we overlook
the Indians, who had by this time started
upon their summer hunt. After the
first demonstration they surrendered, un-
conditionally, and submitted to reasona-
bic and Just terms. This is not the place
nor the time to furnish details of the af-
fair; but this muchI have considered due
TO the Legislature in view of the recon-
mendation l intend 10 make.
The safety Of the people for the pre-
sent and the future, and the vindication
of the great right Of every citizen to the
protection Of The Government, as well as
the punishment Of savage outrage and
enormity, and the repcration and redress
of serious wrongs, demanded the adop-
ton Of the course which was pursued
The spirit with which the exigency was
met by the gallant men who volunteered
is entitled 20 the highest commentator
and applause. Many of our merchants
and others furnished -ammunitions, sup
plies and transportation for the expedi-
ZION, involving them in considerable ex-
pense and outlay. Il would be unjustnot
TO say that their generosity is worthyo of
all admiration. The whole debt and de-
mand of the expedition is just, and should
be paid. 1t is fairly a debt of The Gen
eral Government, and / have no doubt
will be so recognized by Congress. But
for the purpose Of immediate liquidation,
that nothing may be passed but what IS
perfectly fair, | recommend and request
the appointment Of a special committee,
who will investigate the whole matter,
and make such report as to justice and
equity NAV belong. All the papers con-
nected with the expedition are in my pos
session, and will be cheerfully furnished
70 the committee, with such information
as it may be in my power to communicate
The results Of the expedition have been
good. Since that time the Indians have
manifested no disposition to modest any
one, and the settlers repose under a
sense of security not hitherto enjoyed.
l feel that / would be Withholding from
you important and interesting informa-
ton, if | failed to communicate the
knowledge which / possess of the public
sentiment in most parts Of the Territory,
relative 10 a State organization. A large
majority of the people are evidently in
favor of the movement, and have already
indicated, in various ways, q general and
decided wish that this Legislature should
take action on this subject. What that
action shall be is, of course, for you 10
decide. II is well enough for us TO try
and understand what our present condi-
ton is, and what are our relations to the
Federal Government. Like Kansas, New
Mexico, California, Minnesota, Iowa, Ar
e kansas, Missouri, and many other Terri
tories and States which I could name, we
belong 10 Territory acquired since the
adoption Of the Constitution, and "OVtside
Of the original limits ofthe United States. T"
Nebraska Is a part Of the Louisiana pur-
chase, or acquisition. made by Mr.. JEFF
.feTson, in 1903. Like the present States
of Louisiana. Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa
and Minnesota, it was acquired for the
purpose of being admitted as one Of the
States of the Union" and for no other
purpose. The powers of the Federal
Government are delegated and restrict