Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-04-14

'A "So'AOiICuI, CllItiNalIuS lAAu " " HlSu they have no title. They are a semi intel l'gent people, at least. and treaty may properly be made with them; but 1 grant that treaty with wild tribes of the West would be farce
 Mir. GREEN. I think the Senator from Mississippi is entirely at fault. A council IS an interview; 1t is conferring together treaty Is an agreement, a conclusion. me o6Ject of the Senator from Arkansas IS to arrlve at an agreement
 Mir. SEBASTIAN. The Senator from Missouri will allow mo to say that this is only resolution requesting the secretary of the interior to make an estimate of the expenses for this purpose imagine that the expense of one procedure is about the same as ot the other. The answer to this resolution by the department will not con clude the Senate at all. It does not fol. low, as matter of course, that we shall make the appropriation. That is subject TOT future consi leration. 1 suppose it may as we'll go as it is.
 Mir. GREEN. If it be a mere interview for the purpose Understanding each other, 1 have no objection.
 The VICE PRESIDENT. Does the Senator from Mississippi move the amend ment?
 Mr. DAVIS. Yes, sir: move the amendment. I will not press the argu, ment on the Senate, as 1 suppose it is understood.
 The VICE PRESIDENT. The ques- ton IS on the amendment offered by the Senator from Mississippii in line three strike out the words "make treaty of peace, amity, etc" and insert the words "hold a council;" and in line nine strike out the word " treaty." and insert the word " council"
 The amendment was agreed to-
 Mr. CRITTENDEN 1 should like to know how the resolution reads now, with the amendment
 The secretary read 1t, as follows:
 Resolred, That the commissioner of Indian affairs be requested to make an es- timate of the amount that will be required to hold q council with the kioways, Co manches, and other Indians who roam near the Arkansas river, west of the one hun dreth degree of west longitude; with the Ar apahoes and Cheyemes, located below the South Fork of the Platte river; with the Siox and other Indians of the plains, to be concentrated for the occasion at Deer creek, a tributary of the Platte river; and also for council with the Red Lake Chippewas, and the Indians of the Red river, in the State of Minnesota. for the extinguishment of their title to lands in that State.
 Mr. CRITTENDEN. 1 shall make no proposition to amend; but l think the Senate has been entirely satisfied for yeas past that we have been proceeding with but little policy in making these continued pur- chases from the Indian tribes We have, for the purchase of lands which we did not want, involved ourselves in debt to the Indians in one way or another, which con titutes a very considerable figure in our financial affairs and in our annual bills of appropriation. l think myself we should stop in this career. We do not want the l1nI, and surely it is not our policy to pur chase land which we do not want, in order that we may pay interest on the purchase money 1 do not know what the object of these councils is; but am very much afraid they will eventuate in treaties for extinguishing Indian titles, to which l should be opposed 1 hope the Senate will reflect on this subject, whether it is their wish or purpose to proceed to the continual acquisition of Indian lands.
 Mir SEBASTIAN. concur in the views expressed by the Senator from Ken lucky as to the acquisition of more terri tory from the Indians at this time. The Senator, however, 1 am sure. misunder- stands the object of this resolution. It is not contemplated by the Department to make these treaties for the purpose of ac- quiring territory. They are to be made with those wild and nomadic tribes who range over the vast plains and mountains in the vicinity of the new territory of Pike s Peak. l suppose it would be very difficult to say that any of those Indian tribes has poSscssory right 10 the soil within any particular limit; but 1t IS necessary for the protection of cmigrants that we should have some friendly understanding or ac- commodation with them, the amount of which would be that, in consideration of stipuIntions on their side not to molest our emigrants, we should pay them small an nuty in goods or money. If the Senator remembers any thing about the main fea- lures of the stipulations of the treaty of Fort Laramie, that think is what is in contemplation by the department-a small annual present in goods, as real or noml- nal compensation for those advantages which they suppose they do surrender in giving up their country to the free and un- moested intercourse ol the whites
 These treaties have ENen found to be a pretty sure security for peace heretofore. They cost the government but little; they ccde no land; they are very plain and simple in their provisions. l think we may well venture in this case to continue a little further the policy which has operated very well heretofore It is not in contemplation, so far as the treaties with the tribes around the Blue hills of the Stony mountains and of the plains between Missouri and Pike $ Peak are concerned, to ask for. or treat for, any cession of territory. What may be precisely in contemplation with the Chip pewas of the Red river of the north, the Senator from Indiana is probably better advised than l am.
 Under these circumstances, inasmuch as the Senate does not conclude itself at all by passing this resolution, which on y provides for obtaining information tha may be used in certain contingency l think it may well be allowed to pass without any further question: The real point will come up afterwards on the propriety of an appro- priation for this purpose after we obtain the information.
 Mr. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, from the committee on military affairs and militia, to whom was referred the memorial of William Vance & Brothers, for reimburse mcnt of expenses incurred in furnishing outfits to certain volunteers for the Mexi- can war, who were marched to the place ofrendezvous, but were not finally mustered into the service of the United States, sub mitted report, accompanied by bill (S. No. 290) for the relief of Vance & Bro The bill was read, and passed to second reading; and the report was ordered to be printed.
 Mir. SEBASTIAN, from the committee on Inian affairs, to whom was referred the petition of Israel Johnson, praying com. pensation for services rendered and supplies II NJ n