Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-12-15

the Laws OF Spain Mckee, and according tho pra
cPes generally accepted In civilized countries, tho pro.
per 10 these precious depostes 10 vested 10 tho 0ovora
mont excFosng sovereignty Gnd jurisdiction the soil
Inc nrst annual report from THE Department contained
number Of suggestions relating TO the protection Of this
property and TO securing from the annual pro-
ducts Since that time the subject has been FREE
quenty mentioned IA the annual reports of this Depart
ment but Congress mas never taken legislative action.
SQUAD policy dictates the proprley of levyina revenue
tax upon ho,s sew who are sngsssd Ia Gathering individual
terna Revenue recently established In the Department Of
the Treasury furnishes ready and suitable nstrume0
ta,y or collecting IT, The requirement Of moderate
Incense ice from each person Engaged In placer mining
upon the public do0sin and reasonable tax upon the
products Of all mines which might be graduated according
70 tho cost Of production would be 70 ha Government
and satisfactory to the mnlpg interest ,ep
Wlen it 10 considered that nominal tax Of per cea
un upon the present. product Of the mines would yield
larger lacoIo hsn Is now derived from the oil the
public lands with expense If collecting comparative
smh aud that the prospective from this urcs
SO great the impolicy OF granting the mines and mineral
lands IN fes without confederation be apparent 20
ALL 1t should, however, be blros Ia mind that the bus-
o. developing the mineral resources Of those regions
yet 10 ts infancy and that ell legislation Bearing upon K
should have for its object the Increase Of tue annual bro
ducts Of the precious meta and should Ito Inception
directed to The encouragement Of the MINER BY afford
log hin security In bis POSSESSIONS aud stability his bU.
sness rather than to obtaining immediate income the
Treasury. E
With the prospect Of returning peace and the GOMEZ
quent increase of migration TO th, mining regions likely
thereafter to enue 70 be demanded Of Congress
the rights Of miners should be dedaed and secured by
and the pro- pery OF these regions aud the pressra,
| lion Of good order therein thus insured. ~F.
EHDAN AFFAIRS
The management of the Indians during the past year
has been attended with Difficulty. Ia addition TO the war
against that portion Of the sioux that committed the mas
sacres Minnesota 10 l5o2 and who yet unpuni he'd
and unsubdued military operations have been carried on
against the combined bands Of the Sioux Of the plans and
OF the Upper Missouri we'll as against considerable
portion Of the ChsSennes and particularly those
DhskIt
Upper Platte river aud who parties to the treaty of
Fort Laramie Iis not necessary to inquire whether b.
sdoPn ngt these Imsy operations
who desire to investigate the subject may with
consult tbs report Of the Commissioner Of Indian faT
The question of interest u.s. what course shall
pursued with these Indians 10 order to reduce then b.
subsection and to afford all needfal protection to OF o
gems The overland matt to Colorado, and to the States
of the carriers Of goods and of the esrants to a05s
regions Pssses the Laramie plaias which
during large portion Of the year By these Indians The
route OF the Pacific railroad passes through the sEs
country and the Government H. by act Of Congress ns
| obligation to e1tinguish the Indian title.
Much has bsen said and TIE public mind has lately bssg
sgtated against the policy of the Government Ia making
treaties with Indian tribes and pesons In authority
advise abrogson of all existing treaties it pre-
sumed that while this nation ia governed BY the rules Of
civilization, such proposition will not be entertained t.
the injury of all the tribes sad nations of Indians who
ia smty with the United States Where the Indians hare
kept faith with the Government Question Of expedency
policy will justify violation of Its pledges to them
There are however many Indians within the domain Of
the United States with whom the Government has no
tribes; with these possibly with some exceptions it would
be wise to abstain from making any treaty recognising such
right 8
PENSIONS TO SOLDIERS AND sEAaIEa &
The liberal provisions Of law for the payment Of pen
sons to soldiers aud have been disabled In the
dependent mothers and sisters OF auch as have fallen 10
battle died Of disease wounds have been administered
with industry, fidelity, and promptitude.
The very interesting and instructive report of the Com
missioner Of Pensions affords valuable Information, and
presents important suggestions 10 which ia ly
OF these patriots 10 whom pensions for services 10 the
very advanced ages At the beginning OF the year twelve
living and l,ale widows of Revolutionary soldiers
we're receiving pensions making lao pensioners OF this
SII52l7. ,s, --
The number Of army pensioners (ober than Revolution
ARD who paid during the fourteen ending the
so6 Of June last Was % e7 and Of widows otbor Than
Revolutionary orphans, and dependent mothers 2S33
The total number Of persons who received pensions
Ing that period was therefore ~ $50 and the amount paid
for srny pensions during the year ending June sow
% $40, 3es.
ns IuubeT Of navy pensioners who we're paid during
the fourteen months preceding the date mentioned
1906 md the amount OF ey paid them during the rear
Was Sl64 247 The whole number Of pentiouers the
3oh June last was 81 ls5, requiring for their annual
During the year ending September 30, 1854, I5lG
bounty land warrants were issued requiring 26 $50
OF laQds 70 satisfy tleLl. t@ +.
The act of Congress- approved July H. 1852, entitled
IAN act grant pensions" is believed to be OF the
wiOest and aunifcsnt attachments of the kind ever
adopted By any patton. Its beneficial provisions extend to
the disabled survivors and to the widows, orphans de-
pendent mothers and dspead orphan sisters of the d.
ceased soldiers aud ssamen Of every grade aud rank
During the pcst year than 50 100000 have BET
paid for pensions granted account Of disability des
ensuing FROM In the Of the reb lton DuriI
tho continuance Of the war reiabls estiuate
made OF The amount Of money that will be required even
uay meet The obligations thus assumed by the Cover
ment to our soldiers sud seanel
The list of peusiooers Is constantly und srsong both L.
and 6iuutioD, and at present. aud tor months
come 1t must be Rapidly augnented even should peace
restored without further hosies 1t ia eaiimsted tbs
than COO If dollars will be required TO sats
the claims acoruiDg snder The pension laws during
current Gsca year
This Department has reoeotly been advised taat ind
the Joint resolution of Congress- approved July 1875
the sum Of IS 100000 of the navy pension fluid has bss
invested In regs cred eoDds Of the United States.
commend to the consideration Of Congress the sugaes
ton Of the Commissioner that appropriation for pol
son purposes should be made Of portion of the procee
Of abandoned and confscated property land 1t
to me a. sDont proper that some Of the means derive