The Portland daily press., 1871-01-31
WASHINGTON.
THE INDIAN TERR1ToRY-MEssAGE FROM gtE
PRESIDENT.

I PRESIDENT.
| WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-To the Senate and
House OF Representatives: Transmit herewith
an official copy of the proceedings of the coun
Gil OF Indian tribes held at Ockmulgee in De-
| cember last, which resulted in the adoption Ol
declaration of their rights and constitution
lor their government, together with copy OF
the report of the Commissioner of Indian At
fairs and the views of the Secretary OF the In
terror thereon. Jtwould seem highly desirable
that civilization in the Indian country should
De encouraged in establishing for themselves a
iorm OF territorial government compatible with
the Constitution of the United States and with
aPrevlous custom towards communities lying
outside the State limits. concur in the views
expressed by the Secretary OF the Interior,
mat II would not be admissible to receive the
new new ierrStory with constitution as it is now
formed. Se' long az a territorial form OF gov
eroment is presented Congress should hold the
power OF approving or disapproving of all the
iegisiative action of territories, and the Execu.
tive should, with the advice aud consent OF the
senate have power to appoint Governor aud
]uaiclal oh1cers, and possibly some others of
Inc territory. This is the first indication of
Aborigines desiring to adopt our form of gov
ernment, and it is highly desirable that they
become sell sustaining, sci; relying, christian
ized ana civilized: II successful in this first at
tempt at territorial government, we may hope
for the gradual concentration of other Indians
in the new territory. therefore recommend
as close an adherance to their wishes as is con-
slstent with safety. 1t might be well to limit
the appointment of all territorial officers ap-
pointed by the Executive to native citizens of
the territory. If any exceptions are made to
TINS rule would recommend that it be limited
to the judiciary. 1t is now confidently hoped
that the policy now being pursued towards the
Indtan will tit him for self government aud
make him desire to settle among the people
OF ms own race where he can enioy the full
ment. e''e'
lS.gnedo U. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Jan. 30, 1871.
IMPORTANT BANK DECISION.
:; Inc supreme Court to day reviewed the de-
c,slon OF tSe Massachusetts Circuit Court in
the case of the Merchants National Bank of
Boston, against the State National Bark of
tnat city, thus deciding the important question
wnetner bank is obliged to make good checks
csrtined by its cashier Justice Swayne deIiv-
ea i 'ne 1p opinion, from which Justices Clifford
and Davis dissented, in which he held that all
the facts should have been submitted to iury.
ana On the authority of a cashier to bind
Oank Dy bis acts, says in substance that bv all
authorities, English and American, a check
may be accepted, and that by the law of mer-
Saants Saa IN TINS country the certifcation by
Dank that check is good is equivalent to its
acceptance and undertaking that it shall re-
main good. This agreement is as binding on
banks as notes OF circulation, and the transfer
OF such check takes with it the same sense of
SeSu.'.y suae tuc uoteS OF the bank would. The
certifying bank without doubt intended these
consequences and is accordingly liable to be
held; otherws it would render these imnort-
ant securities snare and delusion The now.
or conferred on cashier empowers him with
the same au hority to certify check as he has
to receive the money of depositors, as his pow.
er is Inherent in office. The cashier is an ex-
ecutive officer Of the bank and conducts ali it's
financial operations. and persons dealing with
the bank have right to rely upon the integ.
rlty OF its officers when acting within the an
parent sphere OF their duties, and tbe bank ia
bound accordingly. The amount involved in
the sult is 5000, 900. anj the checks we're those
Of Mellen, Ward 8 Co.
VARIOUS MATTERS
The, Senate Military Committee TO-DAY
agreed to report adversely on the bill making
the 3Oth of May Decoration Day) a national
holiday.
The House Judiciary Committee will report
untavorably on Mr.. Loughridge's recent bill
giving certain States additional representatives
IN the 4Sd Congress, and has now pending a
motion by Mr.. Eldridge, to reconsider its vote
to report hill for the division of Texas into
two judicial districts, thus in effect leeisating
Jodge Duval out of Office.
3 GEN. BUTLER's FENIAN RESOLUTION
will be called up IN the Senate by Mr.. Feuton
tomorrow, and if adopted the President will
send special messenger to New York to in
form the exiles of the action OF Congress. A
committee OF the United Irishmen's Oreapiza.
ton have been here several days advocating
the passage Of the resolution.