St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1863-01-08

red my request for an opinion, as to the
authority Of the Department in the prem
Uses. -e.--,. ., ~..,.... i;.- o.. .....-.-...-.
The letter very clearly states the rea-
sons why the Department could not, at
that time, provide for the payment of the
claims and expenses and is as follows:
QuARrranAs7ER GENERALS Orr1cE,
Washington City, Oct. 81, 1862. i
Hon. EDWIN NJ STANTON, 49, .'G -. = 81.
=, Secretary Of War, Washington, D. c.
sx:-1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of communication from the Hon. Alexander Ram
sey, Governor Of Minnesota, in reference to the
penses incurred in that State, account Of the
cent outbreak Of the Sioux Indians referred by you
for report on the following points
I. Whether there is any appropriation out Of which
the claim can be paid? ~
O. II there be such appropriation, what sum should
be paid -gsyg .i--
list. The appropriations for the Quartermaster's
with existing OF Congress and the regulations
Of the War Department authorized by those acts.
These do not provide for the expenses Of State
troops not called into the service Of the United States
There is no appropriation under the control Of the
Quartermasters Department, from which the expenses
incurred for such State troops can be paid. En-
penses incurred for the movement and operation Of
volunteer or drafted militia mustered into the SER
vice Of the United States, under existing laws, and
used in the against the Sioux can be paid from
the existing appropriation.
rory has incurred expenses in defending the people
OF said State Territory from the attacks Of Indians
Congress has provided after the events by special
andappropriaon for the settlement Of the claim. See
act of Feb. 14th. 1851, (Vol. p. 56G) To settle
and adjust the expenses Of the people of Oregon in
defending themselves from the attacks and hostilties
Of Cayuse Indians " and Feb. 9th, 1851, (vol. g.
D. $50 "For reimbursins the State Of Florida for
al Nce6a md maid md fnr 3,c rad
ard Obligations contracted by said State for subss-
supplies and services of local troops called into
End. 1t cannot be determined what sum should be
paid in this case, until full and detailed statement Of
the actual and necessary expenses incurred has been
presented which statement should be accompanied by
proper vouchers and satisfactory proof of the correct
ness thereof, authenticated in conformity with the
usages Of the department.
The communication Of Governor Ramsey Is here
with respectfully returned.
Very re.pectfu,ly, &C..
Your obdt serv't,
NJ. c. ME1GS,
Quartermaster General.
On learning that the State must of me-
cessity seek an appropriation from Con-
gress for the payment Of the Indian war
expenses, an approximate estimate, which
was all that it was possible, at that time to
obtain, was made of the amount that would
be required to meet the obligations which
had been incurred by the State. and which
it was her bounden duty to have discharged.
That estimate amounted to the sum of
two hundred thousand dollars: the items of
which were promptly furnished to the
Secretary Of War, in season to have the
amount included in his estimate of War
expenses, preparing for the action of Con-
gress; and it is hoped an early appropria-
ton will be made by that body to relieve
us from embarrassment.
Tho Board of Auditors of War Claims
have been in session since the 18th day of
October, and have allowed claims to the
amount of '''
The accounts and vouchers, in all these
cases. will, as soon as possible, be transr
mitted to Washington, and if, as I trust,
soon will be the case, All appropriation is
made for the payment of them, we shall be
enabled to settle the balance Of the claims
unpaid.
THE COMMISSION TO ASCERTAIN DAMAGES.
By the act of the 9th Of September, the
Governor was authorized to appoint three
discreet and trustworthy citizens of the
State, to act as Commissioners, to inquire
into aud ascertain, as far as practicable the
number, names aud other interesting facts
concerning the parties killed, and the value,
ownership, kinds and other statistical in
formation in regard to the property des-
troyed by the Indians. The act provided
that in case any agent or commissioner
was appointed by the United States au-
thorities, then no commissioner shonld be
appointed under this act. - -.
At an early day, after the adjournment
of the late extra session of the Legislature
l addressed communication to the Presi-
dent, on the subject Of the proposed Board
of Commissioners, and was informed by
him in reply, that he did not purpose at
that time to make any appointments: but
subsequently, the Secretary Of the Interior
informed me that he would apply to Con-
gress for authority to appoint such agent
I preferred that the Commissioners
should be appointed by the United States
Government, as such apparently was the
preference Of the Legislature, aud especially
for the reason that such action on the part
of the Government would be q tacit adnns-
sion Of its obligation to compensate the
unfortunate sufferers. The report of its
agent Also for obvious reasons, would OBJ
tain more crcdence at Washington taan
would that of an agent acting under the
authority of the State.
Still, as the delay involved would neces-
sarily impair the evidence it is desirable to
have perpetuated, attempted to organize
a Board under the act aud rendered to
three several gentlemen place on the
Commission. But they in every case de-
clined serving, for the reason that they did
not deem the per diem Of three dollars in
State scrip q sufficient compensation for
the services to be rendered, and for so brief
period of time as to the first of January.
Under these circumstances would re.
specially refer the subject for your further
consideration, with these suggestions In or
der that the evidence may be perfectly digest
ed, methodized and arranged, SO as to secure
examination Of the report when
t is made, it seems advisable that the
PreId0nt af leaSt If tho Nn~vr;ea;or !