The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-11
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1870
:. N.v., om.-.-Genernl nierr"s -.n.

Naval Om,----Genernl Merritt IN.
General Merritt arrived from New Sark this morn.
ing and lett again this evening. he did not call
upon the President but spent most OF his time vlth
senator Fenon. He seems TO think that Mr.. Grnneli
has not treated him quite fairly IN accepting the
Naval Once. He states that Mr.. Grinnell gave
Merritt to understand all along that he was mis-
friend and that he did not seek the Naval once. II
he did not want the place General Merritt thinks he
could have shown 1t by declining II; and whether he
sought II or not, his acceptance or II amounted to
the same thing. General Merritt believes that the
President has nothing against him. at least he says
he never received any intlmation that he was not
performing his duties faithfully and acceptably lie
Is OF opinion that the President was as much sur.
prlsed at Mr.. Grinnell's acceptance OF the Naval
Onice as any other person. and that he expected no
would take the mission TO Prussia.
The New Cuban Commissioners.
j. NJ Merfre the newly appointed Cuban Commits.
soner, successor to the late Senior Morales Lemus,
hes arrived In this city. J. A. Echcverria who has
been the Commissioner ad interim, accompanies Mr.
Mertre Tomorrow, Mr.. Mertre will be presented
70 Mr.. Fish by Mr.. Echeverrla ana VIII present his
credentials from the President Of the Cuban govern
ment II IL expected that Mr.. Fish will adopt the
same course In regard TO Merre as that adopted in
the case OF Lemus--that is, that he VIII not be re-
ceved officially at all, but simply private IN
dlvidual.
Claims OF the Osn9e India MS Another
S,vssdIios Treaty.
WASHINGTON July 10. 1870
OficiaI advces have been recently received al the
Indian ONCE concerning the present condition OF
things along The borders OF the Indian Territory and
explaining, in part, the causes OF the difficulties
Whether the Usage Indians are mixed up with 1t
hau
AFFAIRS On their reservation is deplorable. These
oficlal letters state the case as roliows:--
The large body OF white settlers who have taken
iorcibe possession OF tue lands of the Indians with
out shadow oi legal right continue to mold possess
sion or them ana include them In their claims. on
the eastern part OF the Usage reservation these
squatters have organized three counties, appointed
judges ana other county officers, surveyed anu
formally allotted the larger part VI the lands, with
all the assurance OF honest people. They have stolen
within the last three years several thousand OF the
Indian PONIES. In 1865 the osages were persuaded
10 allow the government to dispose OF strip
o n, taer Lands, lwentg miles wqe, along the
were told that IN two years much OF
It. would be paid for, and they would
have some means OF support They consented. The
lands were surveyed and thousands OF settlers
entered upon, took possession and are now occupy
inv them and yet though A. Is five years ago, the
Indians have not received from the sales OF
these lands The reason given for this Is pat ut the
end OF three years the settlers did not find II c0nve
nent TO pay. So they got their Representative In
Congress TO Introduce bill, when was passed,
granting tnein an extension OF Two years
which TO pay for the lands The Indians were not
consulted and to THIS day DO not understand It, ana
have no faith IN the government ever dealing fairly
with them. The effect Of these outrages mas been
to drive the Osages into the Cherokee country where
portion OF them are huddled along the banks OF
the Little Cousa river outlaws 10 wander
the southern plains. Nothing whatever has been
done by the government IA the way OF feeding them
and scores OIL them have died this spring from the
want OF medical treatment. The present agent
Is u Quaker, anu has done what he coud
without means to amelorate their condition. Ia ls05
sol In tIp trnya enf n sftin NJ Ian frnr
when the two counties OF Ne0sh0 aud Lalette have
been constructed, from which, and other sources,
they receive about five dollars per copd annually.
THIS Is the Only compensation witch they get in re-
turn for their magnificent reservation Of eight mil
lions acres OF land. This spiing the government
sent down small company or infantry to prevent
hostites which has done what little good 1t could
Seventy miles long by thirty vide II Sn be- seem
that some other remedy tDaa this must be applied II
uphold the honor OF our country along that border
ine Osages gfe intensely ANXIOUS TO Lurn their AT
tentlOn 70 agriculture ard they had but the least
show VI justice, would soon have cabins erecied,
fields fenced and crops anted. Is 1t 10 be wondered
AZ that we hear Of attacks ON trains az Camp Sup
ply or raius the boluer settersy the marvel IL
that the Indians have been peaceful long they
have.
Jhe Fur Seal Fishery. H.
The Secretary of the Treasury a few days ago
| requested the opinion Of the Attorney General to
the rights OF the Alaska Commercial Company,
under the act OF Congress, which directs him
inmel laely after its passage to lease The exclusive
right OF taking fur seals on the Island and
at st. Paul ana ST. George for q term
| OF years TO The best advantage OF the
| United States, having due regard to the interests
OF tue government the native inhabitants, the par
ties heretofore engaged in the seal fisheries. In re-
| spouse the Attorney General decides thai If the
| terms which the Alaska Commercial Company offers
| are as favorable as those which can be
| obtained from proper and responsible parties
| in other quarters, or nearly 30, then, un
| der the provisions OF the act, the said
| Alaska Commercial Company will be entitled to pre-
ference. As under this decision in the case larger
amounts are offered for the lease BY other parties,
the Secretary Of the Treasury Will be compelled TO
decide how much money Is equivalent TO the inter
ests 10 the parties now engaged In the trade. The
above opinion Is OF importance to all persons who
contcmpla te bidding AS they must determine how
much IN addition TO their bids VIII be required OF
them to protect the interests OF the Alaska CONNER
clal LOmpanN.