New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-28
THE OREGON CLAIMS.
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To The Editor Of The NJ y. Tribune
SIR: Tie Oregon and Washington war debt has been
occasionally alluded to in your columns but no notice
has been taken of the statements made by the Pacific
d, legation before the Military Committee. cursory
rerussl Of those statements herewith would show the
Injustice which is being done scrip holders by long
wi,hboldirg ayment of ust debt, incurred for de-
felte OF a distant territory against the ncursion Of
saeages.
On tie 18th Of August 1856, Congress directed tho
Secretary OF War to examine into the expenses incur
red by the Territorial Governments during the Indian
war in Oregon and Washington, and authorize him 10
send commission 10 the scat Of the and ascertain
and report all expenses incurred
A proper commission proceeded 10 the Territories,
al having employed about year in the investigation,
made their Ietort. They had carefully examined into
plices and claims and rejected all scrip which seemed
TO them in any degree oyer-charged or illegally issned
Ills report examined by the Secretary VINO, IN
bis report Of 1891 referred TO II III terms Of just COM
Tie faith of the Government is surely pledged 10 tho
ray nent of the ensos IN accordance with the
reIOr of the Commission appointed by the Govern
mtnt itself 1t is not pretended that the Commission
WAS ncOmpcten fraudulent, vet the unhappy hold-
ers OF scrip have in vain solicited the payment OF their
claims adiudicted upon and confirmed by the Govern
ment Commission.
Two wears after the report OF the Commission, q
resolution passes the House referring these claims for
adjustment to the Third Auditor. Another year
passes and in 1860 we have the report of this official
He gees beyond the question referred 70 HIM, enters
M on liz causes of the war; makes clean sweep OF
tie investigations of the Commission, and takes upon
hin self in his Office at Washington 10 reduce tho
pic Oi beef sugar hoTse-iced and horses, and every
thing else Tor which the scrip issued during the
war; ard g. aves down the amount of scrip IN some IN
stances twC-tLlrds.
" hen it s remembered that the Third Auditor never
4 - 81 =.
judgment he reviews, spent year on the spot when
tie war carried on, and patiently investigated
every account it would extraordinary that any
attention should be pad % his report.
Unfortunately an active influence has been used to
oppose the claims OF Oregon creditors by Gen. Wool
and other military gentlemen, who are indignant that
he volunteers should have entered upon successful
can paign, while they decided to remain in Winter
ulrteIs.
To this influence we must attribute the erroneous
opinions which have been entertained in regard to the
Indian
II has been alleged that the war was speculation.
That is that community OF farmers and shop
keepers would leave their business and enter upon
Winter campaign provoking Indians to destroy their
business and devastate their settlements.
1t is alleged. in objection to payment. that the scrip
is in the hands of spectators. That is that the value
of an obligation depends upon the party who NAV hold
il. The undersigned, however, know from personal
know ledge, and are prepared 20 prove that fourths
Of all the scrip issued now in the hands Of the people
of the Territories and that tLrce-fths remain still in
the hands Of original holders
When isconsGered that the scripholders furnished
their goods and their provisions their eOw-ctzens
who were eng, ged in defensive war; that in many
instance they furnished them under threat of mill
tary law ana that they have already waited four wears
for payment, their case does indeed seem hard one.
Tie injustice Is aggravated by the fact that after
commission appointed by Government has visited their
Territory aud submitted every account to a rigid IN
yestgOn, they should still be subject to the capri
cious estimates of Government official and calunni-
attd ~ jealous military clique indignant that they
should have taken mp arms in their own defense
though compelled to do by the nertness of their
proper defenders.
JAMES B. BOND
SHERMAN STEVENS.