, 1859-05-06

dians who brought on this war. This wa
was not brought on by the movement o
the volunteers, for there were no vOIun
teers in the field but was an affair eXclu
sivel y between the regular troops and thu
Indians. 1t would seem that the war o
1858, commencing by the defeat of Steptoe
and which ended in the brilliant and sue
cessful operations of Wright and Garneti
under the lead of the able, energetic anC
gallant veteran, Gen Clarke, would show
the true condition of our Indian relations
Sir, the combination of hostile tribes o
1858, in extent and magnitude, did moi
compare with the magnitude Of the combi
nation Of lS55-56, for last season it wa;
simply the tribes east Of the Cascades, but
in lS55-'56 the flames of war spread ovel
the country both west and east Of the Cas-
cadeS. In l855-'56 the combination was
infinitely more formidable even east Of the
Cascades, than was the combination oI
1858 yet, last year it required the very
utmost exertions--it required that the
commanding officer Of the Pacific should
send to the GiIa and to every part Of Cali.
fornia to collect troops. Three months were
occupied in concentrating these troops in
the Walla-Walla aud preparing for the
field. Two columns, numbering nearly one
thousand men, were organized and sent
against the enemy, aud such were the
preparations and such was the campaign
required 10 suppress the late disturbances.
But, will assume, as l have a right 10
assume, that the question of the Necessity
of calling out tn volunteers Of lS55-'56 is
practically admitted that we have not to
come before this Congress TO argue this
question, but that we stand here to de-
maud of this Congress the payment of our
just dues and to this point shall direct
my observations.
have said that the Third Auditor Of
the Treasury has made an examination in
to these accounts, that he has reported to
the House the result Of that examination,
that the Committee on Military Affairs
have submitted TO this House resolutions
referring the whole matter back to the
Auditor, aud that the House has actually
referred the matter for report. g.. a.ss
Now, sir, the last Congress passed law
in regard to this matter, and it sent ont a
Commission to that Territory, which Com
mission, after a laborious examination Of
one year, reported upon the amount due to
the territorial gOvenments'pf Oregon and
Washington, in consequence of that war.
| give the law in full:
| "Sec. H. And be t further snactsd, That the
Secretary of War be directed to examine into the
amount OF expenses necessarily Incurred in the sup
preston Of Indian hostities in the late Indian war IN
Oregon and Washington by the Territorial govern
ments of said Territories for the maintenance of the
volunteer forces engaged in said war including pay
of volunteers and that he may, IL 10 bis jadgneE Il
be necessary, direct commission Of three to proceed
TO ascertain and report TO him all expenses incurred
for purposes above specified"
may now ask why was this course pur-
sued Why were Commissioners directed
to proceed to that country to make that
examination ? Why did not this Congress
do as the present House has done-refer it
at once to the Third Auditor? ? Why did
it not direct the Secretary of War to call
upon the territorial governments to for
ward their reports OF The war claims to the
Third Auditor in order that they might be
examined in his Office? Mr.. Chairman, the
reason is obvious. 1t was an impractica-
BILE thing for an examination to be had in
any Office in this city. If Congress had
taken this course Of referring, ia the first
instance, the whole question to the Third
Auditor, it would have devolved upon him
duties which he could not have performed
and for that reason it wisely aud properly
directed Commission to proceed to that
country to inquire into all the circumsian-
ces Of the case. Now, sir, two of the three
members Of that Commission were officers
of the army who have served for long
years in that country they were familiar
with its population and resources they
were familiar with prices; they were fami-
lar with the Indians in that country they
combined in their two persons the whole
experience of the country which was the
theatre of the war, for the President Of the
Commission, Capt Al. Smith, had served
in southern Oregon, and was familiar with
the Rogue River war. ..,....
Captain Ingalls, was the principal quar-
master for the district Of the Columbia riY-
er, and was familiar with all the operations
with the movements of the troops, and
with the cost of supplies and transporta-
ton, beth of the volunteers and regulars.
We'll, sir, these two officers of the army,
with my friend from Oregon who now sits
on my right, (Mr, GROVER, who had serv-
ed on. previous Commissions to the accep-
tance Of the Government and Of the people
Of Oregon, who participated in the opera
tons of the troops in this campaign, both
in Oregon and Washington Territories, con-
stituted that Commission. They took
sworn testimony as to the prices, in order
TO determine what was justly due, aud they
made their awards accordingly.
Now, sir, is the report of such a Com
mission, made from facts within their own
knowledge, and from sworn testimony taken
before them, worthy OF the consideration
OF this House? Is it worthy of as much
consideration as the report of the Third
Auditor Of the Treasury, upon which this
House has referred these claims back for
readjustment? Sir, have no question of
the honesty of that officer, aud that he will
make mn his rpnOrt from tho hoet inC,rn,,