- - (ffl rp rfvA rfY ) . VOL. 9. NO. 6. SALEM, ORfiGON, TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1 859. WHOLE NO; 422. rTYrY I I I I II I I I II THE OFFICIAL PAPER OF tnE STATE- One Tear, in advance,. . . . -- - f 3 0 If paid within six month,.. .in... .ft 00 If paid after tb expiration of six months,...-.. $5 DO Bix months, in advance,- .....$ 00 On dollar additional wHI be charged for each year payment i delaved. Ko paper will be discontinued nntil all arrearages npaid- Legnl advertisements will be charged at the follow tag rates : Twelve lines or less, one insertion, 00; aach anhseqaent insertion, $1 00. Less and all tran sient advertisements mat be prepaid to insure inser tion. Administrators' notices, and all advertisements relating to the estates of riereaard persons, mm be prepaid, union ordered published by the cottnty jndjre, ana guaranteed to be paid br him. Uiottntajl.no tices, resolations of societies, orders, Ic, ,yvv ) be charged at half advertising rates, and pavmcnt ant ps made before publication. Commneications o'Only - individual interest mnst be prepaid, at the m f-nite. Adveniarcg bills not paid within ono year i, t nc ftime when contracted, will be increased twcTitv-Sve per eant. each year payment is neglected thereafter. Every eifbrt will be made b the proprietor and ed: itors t. make Tas Okxsos States the best news paper in Oregon. Ketnittarires mar be made by mail at the rislt of the pnbhsher, if mailed in the presence of a postmmter. AS All EL UL'SH. CLACitAjlAS COOTT COXTBXTIO.T. v Pnrsnant to a call of the connty committee, the delegates from the several precinct mot at the eoart-nonse in Oregon City, on Satpnl.tr, the 9th in st, at 1 o'clock p. M. James Officer was called to the chair, and T. J. McCarrer chosen seeretarr. On motion, the chair appointed A.F. Hedges, X. P. Mack, and YVrn. Otfield a committee on credential, who reported the following- named centleraen n titled to seats in this convention from the several precincts: Oregon City P. G. Stewart, Jas. Guthrie, Jr., J. Thomas, F. S. Holland, C. Walker, Francis, Fancett, A. F. Hedges. Milwoukie J. Settle, B. Jennings. Rock Creek -S. P. Gilliland, J. Cason. Matloon' M. Hattan, Win. Tucker, N. P. Mack. Bearer Creek T. W. May. F. C. Mack. Carry Jesse V. Boon. Upper Mololla Jas. Officer, Wm. Vaughn, Howell. Lower MolalUWm. OSeld. A. H. Fish. Linn City Sam'l Miller, E. W. Aldrich. . Tualatin Wm. Evans. Marquam's On motion of Jas. Guthrie, Jr., die conven tion proceeded to nominate delegates to fill the Vacancies existing in the precincts not repre sented. On motion, Geo. W. Jackson was chosen to fill the vacancy existing in Marquam's . On motion of P. G. Stewart, a committee of Cro were appointed to draft resolutions to pre sent to this convention. The following named .gentlemen were Appointed as a committee on resolutions : P. G Stewart, A. F. Hedges, X. P. Mack, Wm. Yaughn, and B. Jennings. The committee, after a short absence, re ported the following, which were, on motion of Mr. Francis, read and adopted by sections: Resolved, That we claim equality of right for all citizens of this Republic to the undis turbed pursuit of happiness and qniet possession of property. Resolved, That the democratic party has ever stood by the ancient landmarks as estab lished by the founders of the American Union, and that the progress of events has only worked but the fulfillment and development of the true principles of free government. Resolved, That as the democracy in the day? Oi JeHerson advocated the acquisition of Or leans and St. Louis Territories, and the same party advocated the acquisition of the Florida m the time of Monroe, and the annexation of Texas, and the Territories of California and New Mexico during the administration of Polk, and the purchase of the Mesilla valley under Pierce, so we, in continuation of a national de velopment as a people, heartily endorse the policy that would annex Cuba to us, and there of secure to onrsclves the gem of the Antilles. . Resolved. That we advocate a strict adher ence to a rigidly economical administration of State and National expenditures. Resolved, That we advocate the construc tion of a railroad across the Continent, as we believe it wonld be a benefit to the nation. Retolved, That while we fully recognize the right of the federal government to administer the general government, as State right demo crats we will ever view with jealousy any at tempt to extend the power of the general "gov ernment so as to interfere with the reserved rights of the respective States. Resolved. That we tender to the Hons. Jo seph Lane, Delazon Smith, and L. F. G rover orjr thanks for their efforts to secure oar admis sion and the payment of our war debt ; aud that we wonld express our high appreciation of the Hon. Alex. H. Stephens and others for their zeal and unwearied efforts to bring us into the Union. Resolved. That we view with pride and re newed confidence the continuous and untiring zeal of our fellow-citizen, the Hon. Joseph Lane, in his efforts to secure the highest good of Oregon, and we believe that but tor bis per sonal efforts in oar behalf, Oregon would now be in Territorial vassalage. tteseived. That we present the name of our fellow -citizen, the Hon. Geo. L. Carry, as a suitable candidate of the democracy of this teounty to fill the vacancy in our delegation to the United States Senate. Resolved, That we disapprove the course pursued by the Oregon Statesman in its assaults upon distinguished members of the democratic party. Oa motion of A. F. Hedges, the convention . proceeded to elect five delegates to the State convention to be held at Salem on the 20th of April, 1359. The following named gentlemen Were elected : F. S. Holland, James Officer, A. F. Hedges and James Guthrie, Jr. On motion, D. B. Hannah was unanimously declar ed as the fifth delegate to the State convention. On motion of Charles Walker, the conven tion proceeded to nominate a representative to the State legislature to fill the vacancy caused fey the resignation of B. Jennings. X. P. Mack having received a majority of all the votes cast, ferns, on motion of P. G. Stewart. unanimously xeClared the nominee, and that this convention ,se their whole influence for his election. The following named gentleman were elected as a county committee for the ensuing year: Robert Caufield, James Guthrie, Jr., and Jas. Officer. On motion of Wm. Vaughn, the convention Voted that the proceedings of this convention be published in all the democratic newspapers in . this State. On motion of P. G. Stewart, the convention tender their thinks to the officers of the con vention for the faithful discharge of their duties. On motion, adjourned. JAMES OFFICER, Ch'n. T. J. McCakver, Sec'y. Twice (in 1855 and 1357) Clackamas connty land the only one in the Territory which did) instructed against Gen. Lane for delegate to Congress in 1855 forjudge Pratt, and in 1857 for Col. Kelly. This year it was Lane's turn. We are informed that in some of the primary meetings in that county this year, were men who last Jane advocated and voted the opposi tion ticket, including the notorious Amory Holbrook. They "disapprove of the course purened by the Statesman," of course There never was a tone w hen they did not. We read this expresmoB with a "serene indifference,' which would quite as lief it would be that way 4 any other. With what unanimity it passed does not appear, but we presume not entire, as we notice among the delegates some who have expressed a warm approval of the course pur sued by the Statesman. ' The resolutions were drawn by a gentleman for whose office we once recommended another, but we presume that was not temenilred. In an abolition precinct in Jackson Co., (Gas burg, or Eden) where three-fourths of the voters arc rank abolitionists, they have seen something in the Statesman (which they must have bor rowed, as none of them ever subscribed for it,) that did not please them. At Jacksonville, too, a little meeting probably engineered by a man who never Voted the democratic ticket (and who last year oflVrcd to betray and sell out one man upon it tot three hundred dollars), was not en tirely pleased. In the proceedings of the meet ing out of six names appear two who only last June voted the opposition ticket. We hope never to see the day when such men approve of the course of the Statesman. POLK COCTfT V COXVEXTIO. . Pursuant to a call, the delegates of the sev eral precincts of Polk County met in conven tion at Dallas, April 9th, 1659. Isaac Smith was called to the chair, and Lucicn Heath was chosen secretary. On motion, F. Waymire, A. D. Babeoek and II. X. V. Holmes were ap pointed by the chair a committee on creden tials. The committee reported the following delegates, to-wit: Salt Lake I'recinct H. X. V. Holmes, A. II. Frier, I. S. Townsend, G. Smith. Douglas A. Iiolcjack, I. Uinskaw, G. Mas eiker, B. Simpson. Jackson E. duff, B. Syren, I. Bull, G. B. Savery, J. Orchard. L. Bozclv. Spring Valley J. K. WaIt,W. B. Earnest, W. M. Walker. T. B. Wait. Eola M. Miner. W. Kuble, It. A. R-v, C. C. Cram, T. O. Waller, M. Goff, W. D. Cole, B. Harden. Monmouth I. F. M. Butler, J. E. David son, C. P. Cook, J. McConnoll, S. Buich, S. Goff. . Lane I. Hedsres, I. Johnson, S. Staats, J. B. Bounds, E. Grounds, B. F. Burch, E. A. Shirley. Luckiamute W. Sebring, I. Staats, I. Zum walt, J. G. Montgomery, A. J. Wekh, J. Lig gett. Bridgeport J. Cbamlierlain, P. 11. Bow man, F. Waymire, I. Smith. Dallas 1 . A. Hutchinson, L. nenth, Dr. Sites, B. F. Xkhols, A. D. Babeoek, K. Glaze, M. Shenton, J. O. Shelton. On mm ion, the chairman appointed the fol lowing committee on resolutions, viz: T. II. Hutchinson, II. X. V. Holmes, B. Simpson, I. Ball, J. K. Wak, B. Hayden, I. F. M. Cutler, B. F. Burch, A. J. Welch and J. Chamber lain. On motion of F. Warniire, the delegates from each precinct were authorized to east the vofc-s of absent delegates - of their respective precincts. On motion, A. D. Babeoek, F. Waymire, Iraac Staats. J. S. Townsend, B. Simpson, E. Cluff, J. K. Wait. B. Hayden, I. F. M. But ler and B. F. Burch w ere appointed by the chair a denvx-ratic committee for Polk Oounty for the ensuing year. The committee on resolutions reported the following, to-wit : I?enZet, Th-t the democracy of Polk connty bare sn ntRMn? with m the principles of the democratic rty of the Uai.m; and that "rorasorts, and not men, i thtir initio. .Wffrf, r.iat ie ire u favor of aa economical a.tmlms tratinn of onr State povermnent, that we will rrpniiiate any aDd aU debts cmtracted by oar legislature in excta of the fifty thousand dollars provided as the maximum in the con stitution, and that we have lull confidence in the honesty and in Wnty of onr mimbers of tne Li-p,!itive Assembly, and br lirve tf.cy wiH exercise diligence and resist all attempts at Hhrrrteizinff the governmerit. Remtrrd, T.'iat we as democrats will not aid In traildinc np a personal party for any man. no matter what may be tus present position or furore prv;cts. j;eolcJ. ThM the recommendation to set theS'ates-overn-m-nt tn operation before we had the function of Congrcssmn si authority, meets with oar dtsajproval. .sffrc. TnM we are in favor of rotation In cfS-e. artd a str-.ct adherence to that doctrine should be required by the Kr-diretf, Thnt we rcpwHste the doctrine that the federal r .'lkct in Orerrm bi-loti; to the persons who uapp-.-n for the i .n- rFrinz- ia e ner Trr.nstiiT.iiiTi in t-ncrss, ana we in srs4 that tn mitkina appointments the democratic mny have thf; rizht to be h-ard by titeir r-coinmen'ialion, and thai the rec pients of otuce are not recessarily boonri to.an ctenutl personal f-alty to the repr.-ser-tative in Conirress who ospiM-tiS to present la- jr names to the President, for appofnri&i r.t, bat to the parte of h:ch they are meibeis. .'ssfifreo. That a e have fell enrfit"nce th onr mnrh esteem ed and worthy cllhren. Gen. J. W. Nesml-h, and b irhly eo Corse h:s coarse as P'lperintrtider.t of Indian ATiir . for the zeal, enerry and ability displayed in said oflice. for which he ha? been fclly sustained by the d'-partrn-nt at WasVtijon. Ectolrtd, That we extend the hand of fVUoweh p to those nation democrats who acted arair.st ns st the last election who wiH unite with us in she support of onr princif'U-s and nominators. Jrfl, Thnt we as members of fhs conventf. n t tede onrseives to support the nomination made u day at. die nominations to be made at the d-tnocralic State convention to be held at Salem Aprs h, 1. On motion, John T. Outhouse was nominated for a?cs.or by acclamation; whereupon the following named persons were duly electi d del egates to the State convention to lie held at Sa lem on the 20th, viz: J. W. Xesinith. B. Hav den, I. F. M. Butler, L. Heath aud II. X. V. Holmes. J. O. Shelton offered the following resolu tion, to-wit : Resolved, That the delegates from this coun ty be and are hereby instructed to ue their in nnence to secure the nomination of Hon. L. F. Gtovct for Representative to COnjrrc-ss. On mot ion, -resolved that the proceedings of mis convention be published in the Oregon Statesman, with a request that the other demo cratic papers copv. ISAAC SMITH, Ch'n. Lcctex Heath, Sec'y. CLATflOP ( O. I'O.WKXTIO. At a Democratic Convention of Clatsop Co., April 2d, lSo.'), on motion the meeting was call ed to order and P. Calender elected chairman, and C. J. Trenchard, secretary. The following peratns appeared as dcl. gatcs for Atitoiia precinct, viz: Cyrus Olney, A. Van Dnsen, John Brown, C. J." Trenchard, J. W. Moflitt, Luke Taylor, James Welch, Conrad Boelling, Ii. Shortess. 9. From Clatsop precinct P. Callender, John nobson, and R. W. Morrison. 3. On motion of C. Olney, a committee or three was appointed to prepare and report resolu tions, (to-w it :) Cyrus Olney, J. W. Moffitt, and A. Van Duscn. After a short absence the committee report ed the follow ing resolutions, which weie adopt ed seriatim. Resolved, That all dissensions among demo crats in this county have ceased, and if our past follies have lost to us any who would not otherwise have joined the republicans, we can assure our friends in other counties that we are still a mnjority, and will henceforth act together as one man to sastain the principles, and sup port the rirtminees of our party. RrtolvtJ, That each State'having surrender ed to the Federal Government the regulations of its commerce, and the revennes arising there from, and also the power to make war with for eign nations, the Federal Government has un dertaken, in return, to furnish the people of each State nil necessary facilities and protec tion to their commerce, and all necessary means of defence in war. And, as the commerce of Oregon is, and will le conducted mainly by the Columbia Itiver, and its tributaries, ami as that river furnishes the only inroad for foreign ene mies, it is the imperative duty of Congress forth with to provide such permanent structure as May be necessary to facilitate and protect that commerce, and secure the lives and property of our pefiple against the consequences tif any var in which the United States may become in volved. Resolved, That marine hospitals for skk and disabled seamen, havine become a Positive ob ject of the oe and bounty of Congress, We con- ntieniiy oxct that so important a maratime lo cality as Vie Columbia River will lie favored with such an institution, and we present Asto ria as aVite quite as eligible, in all respects, as any other, and in salubrity of climate having no rival. Resolved, That the Hon. Lafavetto Grover Sossesses in a high degree the confidence of the cmocrats of this county, and onr delegate to the State Convention is instructed to support him for it-nomination to Congress. . On motion the Convention proceeded to the election of a delegate to the State Convention by ballot, and J. W. Moflitt was chosen as the delegate. On motion Cyrus Olney was elected one of the Democratic "Co. Committee, place of J. G. Hustler, absent. . On motion the delegates of this Convention are requested to meet at this place on the 2d Monday of May, to nominate County officers for the June election. On motion a copy of the proceedings of this Convention be furnished to each of the demo cratic papers of tl:e State. . On motion- adinnrncd. PI1ILO CALLEXDER, Ch'm. C. J. Teescuard, Sec'y. . JOEFUI.tl! (OlSTV COTsTEXTIOX. The democratic county convention met in Kerbyville, March 2G, 13.51). Geo. T. Yiuing was called to the chair, and C. A. Brunncr ap pointed secretarv. Riley Hayden, Jefferson Howell, D. S. Hol ton, S. R. Scott, and J. W Matthews were elected delegates to the State convention to be held in Salem, April 20, lSo!). On motion, M. C. Barkwcll, C. A. Brunner, G. Wilson and M. Gerhard were appointed a committee on resolutions, and reported the fol lowing, which were adopted : Resolved, That the Denncratic party is the only truly patriotic party of the present day in the new State of Oregon, and the United States, and that all factious organizations and combi nations are treasonable, rebellious and unfriend ly to even- worthy interest cf our common country. lieso'ved. That we endorse the principles laid down by the Cincinnati aud Salem platforms, and will endorse the same at all times. Resolved, That principles, and not men, is the whole spirit of true democracy. Resolved. 1 'hat union and viirilitnee, if strict- lv observed, will promote the general success of tne great democratic partv ol our beloved virgin State. Resolved, That this convention of the de mocracy of Josephine county, cordially tender their thanks to our late delegate and State rep resentatives in Congress, for faithfully laltoring in securing; the admission of Oregon into the Union at the late session of Congress. Resolved, That having full faith in the polit ical honesty aud fidelity of our delegates elect ed to tht; State convention, that we will not in struct them for whom to cast their votes iu said convention, but leave that matter to the exer cise of their sound political discretion. Jiesolred, That the demteracy of Josephine county recommend the holding of a Pacific Railroad Convention ou thu Pacific coast. On motion, ordered that the proceediiiirs of ims convention oc pumisucu in tae Oregon ;f n tinel and Statesman. G. T. VIXIXG, Ch'n. C. A. Bucxser, Sec'y. Dividing the State. Propositions for divid ing the State come from both ends thereof. We observe by the last Yreka I'nicn a bill, to be in-t-ndnced into the Assembly, for rnttiti(f (iff the Northern portion aod unitinp i( with a portion of Orejron. From the South comes the proposition of Senator Pico, providing fir the orgnnizttton of an 1tns Obispo. Snnta Hrtrbsra, Los Anpeles, fsn Dtpo-o and San Ikrimriliiio into a Territory. The S. F. lirratd opposes the latter proposition for the reason that many ol the native Califor ni.tns are very black now, and if they are brought in soci.tl connection with neprocs thiy will unite, and all of them become neproes Horrible! We are opposed to the Northern division for the rea son that, if Northern Californians are brought in social connection with Orrponians, they will probably amalgamate and all become Orepouians! A consummation awful to contemplate '. Shasta Courier. The Cotme-r need not be alarmed about the Northern division. Xo one advocates it except Brown, of the Yreka In ton, who left Oregon for California last year, and has since edited a newspaper until he is too poor to return ; and although it would afford Brown immense satis faction to be reunited to his old constituents, we are certain that the Oregoiiinns, however will ing to receive him back again, provided he was returned in as good condition physically and morally as he went, would not consent, w ith the knowledge they have of the Californians, to enter into any closer relations with them. The opposition of the Shasta Courier to the measure arises from the com-identtion, that if its patrons should, by intermingling with the vir tuous Oregonians, become honest, many of them would be unable to pay their printing bills. Ciat l i.ar Lettkr. A letter is published in the last number of thu Portland Times, by Gen. Lane, vindicating his conduct in regard to the admission of Oregon, w hich the Statesman asserts he pertinaciously opposed. We desire to take no part in this ati'air whatever; in fact, we have never taken the trouble to ascertain whether the charge of the Statesman is well founded or not; but as the l:tter contains some very good Demo cratic .doctrines, we shall endeavor to find room for it in our next issue. Olpmpia ( W. T.) Pioneer. Is that your only excuse for boring your read ers with four and a-half columns of twaddle, void of argument or substance ? We should like to know what kind of spectacles the Pio neer used to discover the "good Democratic doctrines" in Lane's letter. " He must have optics sharp, I ween, Who sees what is not to be seen." Cayxse and Rooce River Wars. Treas ury drafts for services in said wars arc in the possession of Gov. Curry, as subjoined, and may be obtained by application to C. X. Terry : Edward Hess, $j 50, W. F. Thompson, $300 00, Henry Greenwood, $i2 75, Hazel tine & Co., $lri, Cooper & Iligbec, $100 00, C. Johnson, $9 00, Samuel Williams, $:4 00, Friedman & ells, 8 18.1 00, P. T. Wood, $6 00, James Fudge, $ 10 00, A. Enqoit, $3-1 ., Charles Wright, fill 50, John llord, $12 OS, John Sexton, $27 00, Matthew Hunter, $113 50, Nathan B. Jones, $3 50, Wm. Beck man, $87 00, Richard Evans, $12 00, Thos. Hoggs, $10( 24, James Altrv, $38 00, W. K. Killmurn, $77 50, James W. Peat, $118 50, Lvndlv Able, $110 00, James C. Boiic, $109 00, James Killinsworth, $139 00, John Word, $7 00, Joseph Watts, $304 00, Vincent Payne, $34 00, Edward Phillips, 00, Cal vin Pell, $92 00, Charles McCall, El The members of Congress didn't seem to be of the opinion that Oregon had 93,423 in habitants. During the debate in the House, Mr. Millson, of Virginia said : He stood now where Ite stood for rears hi re lation to the admission of Oregon, lie opposed by vote and argument the bill authorizing the people to form a constitution preparatory to ad mission. He did so simply and exclusively upon the ground of the absence of a sufficient population. That objection remained now, and ft was the only objection which he had. From the following- speech we omit only extracts from documents, &c, which have been published in the Statesman i- . j IPBEC1I ' OF HON. L. F. GROVER, OF OREGON, On the Indian War Expenses of Oregon and ; Washington. Delivered in Vie House of Representatives, February 21, 1359. The House being in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union M r. G ROVER said : Mr. Chairman : Not having been admitted to a Beat in this House in time to participate in the debates, which occurred a few days since, on die subject of the Indian war expenses of Oregon aud Washington, I desire to place on record my views touching the matter. And, in doing this, I do not intend to go much bovoud a statement, of such facts and of such explana tions bearing upon this subject, as may be re lied on, hereafter, to support the position which the State of Oregon and the Territory of Wash ington will occupy on this question. It is the mandate of the Constitution that the United States shall protect each State against invasion and against domestic violence. This is the obligation of the Federal Government to the several States, in pecosition cf which we find, through our whole history, that in times of foreign wars and Indian hostilities, the national troops have put in requisition to defend the States ; and, in case that resort has been had to the militia forces of any State, prompt as sumption has been had by the General Gov ernment of the expenses incurred by each State in her own defeucc. The obligation of the General Government to protect and defend the territories and the District of Columbia, which are governed by federal legislation, is more direct and of a high er quality. The very preamble of the Constitution de clares, that one of the principal ends to be at t:tined by its adoption was, " to secure domes tic trauquilitv, and to provide for the common defence." It is the first element of every civil govern ment that it shall defend the iiitecrritv of its territory, and protect the lives and jtroperty of us citizens. i ue question oi assuming tue ex penses of the States and territories incurred in repelling foreign invasions, or suppressing In dian hostilities, has, therefore, never been one of policy merely, but one of vital obligation on the part of the General Government a duty the performance of which is necessary- to our national conservation. It is not necessary for me, after the eloquent and forcible remarks of my friend from the Ter ritorr of Washington. (Mr. Stevens. 1 to sav anything relative to the origin and conduct of the Indian war ol lss and 18o, embracing in its field of operations seven degrees of lati tude, and more degrees of longitude, and in volving the combined hostilities of many power ful tribes. I need not dwell upon the" marked incidents of this Indian campaign, longer con tinued, more severe in fatigue duty, aud more dangerous iu its execution, than any which has ever occurred on our frontiers. The existence and necessity of this war have been recognized by sovereign acts of this Gov ernment, and we are not called upon, and nev er can be called upon, to review and refute the false charges of those who have chosen to place themselves in contravention to this conclusion. This special finding of the Committee on Mil itary Attains of this Congress is only a re-aflirm-anee of the premises on which the actiou of hist Congress was predicted, when the act of Au gust 18, 18.V5, was passed. Does not this law recognize " the late Indian war in Oregon and Washington," as a fact within the notice of the Government ? And does it not proceed to require " the amount of expense necessarily incurred oy the territorial governments of said Territories, for the mainte nance of the volunteer forces engaged in said war, including pay of volunteers' to be examin ed into and reported for adjustment, on the sole ground that could exist for such an act, that the war was necessary to defend the lives and prop erty of the citizens? If the war was a sham, gotten up by the peo nle of those distant territories for the lturoose of eiptvsing their own lives and the lives of their tleteiiceless wives and children to the d lead cruelties of savaee bnrharitr, ami their proper ty to certain de astatiou if their military or irunizatiou was onlr the musterintr of the rabble mtent on brutality and plunder, regardless of the interests of their country and the policy of the liovernment, men the expenses ol tneir ser vices might well have been ignored. But such was not the case. This war was a just war. It was an inevitable war, and it was conducted, so far as circumstances would admit of, with humanity. Such was the determina tion of last Congress upon a full hearing of this subject when this matter was passed upon. This embraced the warrant aud the instruc tion of the Commission to proceed to duty, which they did ou the 20th day of October, 1850, and after speudiug more than a year iu a careful investigation of these claims, traveling over the whole field of operations occupied by the volunteers during the late hostilities, aud after marshaling the best evidence ou all doubt ful points which the country could afford, they made their report to the war office. During the transaction of their duties the Commissioners were visited at their principal office in Vancouver by a special agent of the Government, J. Ross Brown, sent to the Pa cific coast to examine into the condition of our Indian relations in that quarter, the transac tions of public officers, and particularly the do ings of this Board. This agent sntus up his elalKtrate aud interesting report on this subject in the following words The Commissioners at Vancouver have faithfully and impartially performed thcr duty. Whatever sum they may have decided upon in estimating this war debt, I hold that amount to be justly due, and trust that Congress will at once provide for its extinguishment." Under this state of facts a bill was introduced into this House nt the last session, by the Del egate from Oregon, to pay these claims on the awards of the Commission. This bill, I con tend, should in justice have passed. The war had been recognized; its necessity was not questioned ; its expenses had been assumed by act of Congress, and they had been ascertained and reported in manner as directed by that act. Was not this an adjustment, made under the authority and with the full sanction of the Gov ernment, and was it not binding upon it ? If the action ot tho uovernmcnt in this case does not amount to what I have churned for it, it docs not amount to anything. And the march ing and counter-marching with the "pomp and circumstance" of legislation and of administra tive nction, have only been so much trifling with' a distant and important portion of our people, who deserve and have a right to expect better things. ; This bill providing payment of these claims was referred to the Committee on Military Af fairs in the House at the last session. Tho Committee, through a resolution of the House, called on the Secretary of War for the report of the Commission and accompanying papers. They were promptly placed ut their disposal. But instead of a persoual examination, which, under the circumstances, . might have been im practicable, but which was due to a subject of this magnitude, all these papers and rolls, con sisting of some half a cord in bulk, were turned over to the Third Auditor for an analysis to as sist the Committee in coming to a proper con clusion in reference to the lubors of tho Com mission and the details of their work. Although this reference was made to the Third Auditor during the last session, with di rections to report at tue commencement of this session, nothing had been done in the premises when the present session convened. - At the most urgent solicitations on the part of the del egations of Oregon and AVashington, the mat ter was finally taken up. The examination had, was, as the Auditor himself says, "cursor ry" in its character. In the words of a mem ber of tho Military Committee, Mr. Marshall, of Kentucky, used in the late debate ou this floor, "it was a criticism," and what I call an ill-advised criticism. I wfll review, in a brief manner, some of the points of this remarkable letter of the Third Auditor, and exhibit some of its inconsistencies not noticed br my friend from Washington Ter ritory, (Mr. Stevens.) - The letter of the Third Auditor say : " The evidence of indebtedness went before the Commissioners, generally, on report of the quartermaster and commissary generals. Whether or not the expenses "were incurred necessarily, or the property expended iu a prop er manner by the subordinates ; whether they were in fact wholly incurred, or were partly constructive or siuulatcd, couldonly be deter mined by the Commission. "It may not be doubted that the quarter master and commissary generals reported to them the true state of sulmrdinate accounts as received by them. Yet there is nothing among the papers to test their representations, and certainly nothing by which to ascertain wheth er the subordinates "did or did not make faithful returns. It is to be presumed that the Com mission were satisfied on these points, for they approved every thing only reducing rates; aud no reasons were given among the papers for even that. The only exceptions are few and generally trivial. One or two cases of la bor, where tlie persons were enlisted men ; two cases where enlisted men were known to have been employed and paid for the time in the reg ular army, although regularly mustered and dis charged ; and a few cases "where the time of service has ln-cn reduced." The italics in the quotation from the Auditor are his own. Why does the auditor say that there is noth ing by which to ascertain w liether the eulxirdi natcsdid or did not make faithful return?, when he can find among the papers if he will examine, as perfect returns, and complete accounting, as far as Oregon is concerned, as can be found iu the accounts of the regular army, except in a few unimjMirtmit instances ! Why does he say that 4it is to be presumed that the Commission were satisfied on these points, for they approved everything, only re ducing rates, aud no reasons were given among the papers for even that," when the report of the Commission distinctly states that the regu larity and integrity of the claims were strictly inquired into, and that such claims as were based upon the furnishing of property or labor not necessary or proper for the maintenance of the volunteer forces, have been rejected ? The ab stracts generally have been completed under tne directum ot the Commission, alter a lull marshaling of the accounts, and rejected claims of course would not be entertained upon them. And as to there being no reasons giveu for the reductions recommended, such a statement could only come from one who had not read the report of the Commission, nor examined the ac companying papers. Complaint is made that some of the vouchers for miscellaneous expenditures are indefinite and uncertain. That is true, but the Commis sion could not reorganize the very basis of all these claims, aud require a compliance with tlu? technical accuracy of regular accounts. They devoted themselves to the only remaining alter native of calliug on the claimants to establish the items of the account by proofs, and to justi fy their general integrity". Xor could the re sults of this labor become a matter of record without expending rears in the work, and accu mulating quantities of papers which w ould never oe examined. The Auditor cites in his letter many instan ces of vouchers selected from the accounts, showing great variation of prices and high rates of purchase, and in extreme cases he reports exhorbitant charges, without stating what the action ot the L ommission was in the premises For instance, friving the purchases of Quarter master L. 1. Brown, he states his purchases to nave lieen tilty horses and twenty-eight mules, "the horses from $150 to $500," without com municating the fact that the Commission deduct ed all over $100 from the price of all horses ex ceeding that figure. Ou giving the purchases of Quartermaster -Millard, he says: "His prices appear to be enormous horses as high as $550, mules $500. He purchased sixteen mules for $15,180, the lowest at $275, and the highest at $5O0-." with the same gross omission. :u not stating the fact patent on the very roll from which he copied these figures, -that thenuirimwm price allowed in any of these cases was $400 ; thereby, leav ing it to be inferred that all these rates passed the approval of the Commission, and that the whole thing was an attempted swindle on the Govemnieut. This feature of suzgeslio falsi runs through the entire letter of the Auditor, as far as it relates to prices of property. The Auditor notices as a case of triple allow ance or pay, that William Johnson, (of Keith 5c Johnson,) one of the owners of the ferry across the Columbia river, at the Dalles, has a claim of $044 50 against the Territory of Oregon, while during the time in which this claim was engendered, the firm had contracted for $300 per month to ferry all the troops and public an imals and stores, for Washington Territory, while Johnson himself was a private in Captain Goff's company of volunteers. Two other cases of triple pay, so termed ; those of Pack wood, and Packard, at the Nesqually ferry in Washington Territory, are mentioned by the Auditor as presenting this condition of things ; these men were voluutecrs in the service of the Territory, aud nt the same time have claims for ferriage of troops and public animals, aud he adds: "The fact of their being in tho service, under pav, seems not to have made any differ ence in their charges for ferriage, and they, or one of them, besides, charged for a great many separate meals to various passing travelers." The simple fact is, that the ow tiers of ferries in Oregon and Washington, hardly ever run their lerries themselves personally, nor do I know that tho people of those regions differ in this respect from the people of tho States gen erally, and when they contract by the month to convey a person, or a family, or the troops of a State or Territory across a river, they do not thereby preclude themselves from conveying other persons, or the troops of other States or Territories, for hire, nor do tliey preclude them selves from joining in defense ot their country. And further, I do not know of any law or rule of our Government, which would forbid a keeper of a public house, as Puckwood was, from en tering the public service iu time of war. And if ho should do so, I cannot see how his family could lie debarred from conducting tho public house, as his did, in the name of tho proprietor, and claiming ' and receiving pay "lor a great many separate meals to various passing trav elers." Can the fact that a man is a soldier deny to him the earnings of his ferry, or of his public house, or of his servants and family ? And does it compel him to feed the public for nothing? ' ' - . According to the Auditor, Quartermaster Pctei-s' accounts show thnt in the hire of ani mals for public transportation, "the persons from whom the animals were hired were near Iv all in the service, as teamsters and packers." This . is furnished as a class of instances of double pay. ' . In the mountainous rccions of southern Ore gon and northern Colifomia, transportation of goods oy mule-trams is a very important oranca of business. The proprietors usually accom pany their own : trains, and when they are re quired for public service, they enlist with their animals ; and I never before heard the intima tion of any rule which would deny the employee his pay, if he happened to own the animal which he might ride or drive. - . The following statement is calculated to mis lead : "The Adjutant General, (TQton, the Sur veyor tJeneral of the Government, at a salary of "S3.000 a voar.l with the rank of brigadier general, reported for pay to the amount of $4, 815,81." This would indicate that an attempted fraud had been disclosed. The Commission made no such report. The staff-rolls were regularly made out, and the pay accruing to each officer according to his rank, was carried out ou the roll. When any officer held a public place un der the United States, his official character and salary Were stated also. The Commission made no special recommendation, but gave all the facts, so that the proper accounting officer could adjust the matter according to the itws and rules governing his department. Under general law, two salaries cannot be paid during the same current period of service; but the of ficer has his right to elect which he will take. It is stated that the roll of Capt. Williams' company, W. T. voluutecrs, "is full of errors and confusion." As the sole specification under this general charge, it is declared that "seven teen of the men are set down and reported for Jay by the Commission for themselves aud lorses, at nearly $S per day, each." This sen tence seems intended to iuduce the belief that the Commission allowed seventeen men of Capt. Williams' company '-$3 per day, each," while the roll referred to does not show this. The roll will show, that on volunteering, seventeen men of tliis company put several horses each iuto the public service, which were used to mount the balance of the company ; aud, per haps, some men of other companies, who far-ni-lied none for themselves. The roll farther shows, that each of those seventeen men were allowed by the Commission $2 per day for his own sen ices, and $2 perdayfer the use and risk of each horse which he put into the Fcrviect and the amount i carried in gross, to each man, according to the territorial law. Referring to the same subject, in another part of the letter, the Auditor says : " In some of the companies, the members had more hor ses ia the service than they were entitled to keep all of which are reported for pay." In letter, this statement is true, but iu fact, it is not true. The members of any company who had more than they were entitled to keep, tUJ not keep them. They were entered to the use of the Territory, and were used to mount men who had no horses, and such were reported on the same roll as mouuted on horses furnished bv the Territory, because the Territory was charged on that roll with the hire of the horses so furnished. The same will apply to the reference made to Capt. Yantis company, '-iu which one pri vate is reported for pay for three horses in ser vice, which was two more than he was cntitk-d to keep." Xo private in either of the Territo ries, did keep, or receive pay, for more than one horse for his own use. This mode of en tering horses famished liy the volunteer or by others, on the company muster-roll, is not a new tlnug iu the frontier service ot the country. Jt was practiced in the volunteer service of 1S53, iu the IJogne River country, and iu other volun teer service. The Commission had no power to reconstruct these rolls in this particular, aud it remaiucd only for them to report the services and t!ie rights of claimants, which they did. Referring to the transactions of Quartermas ter Millar, the Auditor says: "He, as well as the rest of Quartermasters of the Territory, ap pear to have considered tobacco au article of military supply, which it is scarcely necessary to say, is unknown to any service ever recog nized" bv the United States." The artk-le is treated by Quartermaster Millard, as "clothing, of which he received and issued two thousand three hundred and twelve pounds." Xow let me ask, Mr. Chairman, how was the article of " clothing" treated in these accounts? The law required that the volunteer should furnish his own clotlung ; and iu case he was nnableto do so, he was furnished by the Territory, and the amount so furnished was charged to him aud estopped against his pay. So with tobac co ; it was not a part of the military ration, as whisky used to le iu the time of ottr grandfath ers, but it was furnished as clothing was, and estopped against the pay of the volunteer. I think, with the Auditor," that it was "scarcely necessary to say," that the suply of tobacco to our military service is nnknown, for such a statement is not founded on fact. The Ameri can soldier, now here, is ever found without his tobacco, any more than Xapoleon was found m battle without his snuff. At established mili tary posts of our army, sutlers, dealing with the soldiers under authority of the commanding offi cer, furnish them with tobacco, keeping an ac count which is adjusted at the monthly pay ta ble, if not liefore, by the soldier himself. And durinsr campaigns beyond the line of settlements, Commissaries when there are no traveling sut lers, are ordered to take a supply of tobacco, and to furnish it to troops at cost, estopping the amount from their monthly pay account. Our army in Mexico, m many cases, were snpplied in tiiis manner. The volunteers of Oregon and Washington received no monthly payments; aud, consequently, the supplies of this charac ter, were furnished by the Territories, and es topped against the pay that might be allowed them thereafter. In principle, the practice in the rosrnlar army aud that of the volunteer ser vice of Oregon and Washington, are the same in this particular. The only difference is, that the consumption of tobacco does not appear in the accounts of the regular service, and does appear in those of the volunteers. Xor would these items have appeared in the volnutccr ac counts if there had been monthly, or any other payments, whereby they could have been ad justed otherwise. - In the examination ol the accounts ot ash ington Territory, constant complaints, like the following, occur : " None of the property purchased by Gov. Mason appears to bo -accounted for." . And again : ' ' - - - " There are twenty-nine vouchers represent ing these claims, not one article of which ap pears to be accounted for." Instead of mixing in these constant com plaints throughout his letter, why did he not do the people aud officers of that Territory the jus tice to give the plain statement of the Commis sion relating to this very subject, as follows : " Tho authorities of the Territory of Wash ington have not been able to present, in any regular or tabular form, satisfactory accounts of the disbursement or uso of such public proper ty as was actually expended in the public ser vice ; in the absence of which, the Commission, iu addition to the persoual examination of the Board in tho premises, has required sworn statements of snch officers, (chief and subordin ate,) as wore charged during the service with the same, touching the disposition of such prop erty." .... . ... And why did he not examine these sworn statements and state their effect in a fair and just manner? ? lo one acquainted w ith the condition ot our frontiers, and the history of our couutry, this failure to furnish regular accounts is no marvel. Xo attempt was made at any accounting in this particular in the Cayuse war; in the war with the California Indians, in 1850 ; in the Rogue river war of 1853 ; or in any irregular service that I know of, except in that of Oregon in 18o5-'56. And the. General Government in adjusting the expenses of those wars, has nevei demanded any regular accounting. The inex perience of those issuing such public property lias generally precluded the practicability of full accounting. - But when there is a regular and accurate ac-t counting, the Third Auditor points at it with the finger of ridicule. Presenting the property account of Captain Wm. Kelly, he says : " The public property received by this officer and his company is very regularly accounted for, though the abstracts and vouchers were made out in triplicate, which was an unnecessary waste of stationery." I will only remark that all dis bursing officers of this service who did their business safely, made out their abstracts and vouchers m triplicate ; one for the United States, one for their own protection. In presenting the accounts of L. P. Brown, Quartermaster at Deer Creek, for the purpose suppose, of indicating that there were too many quartermasters, he says that, "Deer Creek is near Fort Lr-land, where Huelat (a quartermaster) was." This information would be hnjiortaut, if true. Deer Creek ia eighty miles from Fort Lcland; the one in the Ump qna valley, the other in the valley of the Rogue river, separated from each other by the Ump qua mountains, six thousand feet high. Through a deep pass, a canon in the mountains twelve miles lonr, the Government has been construct ing a military road at an expense of $20,000 to connect the two regions for military purposes. Some of Quartermaster Brown's accounts show that wheat, oats and barley, were pur--chased during the war for scrip, at rates ex ceeding $4 per bushel; and that in September, after the close cf the war, oats were purchased as low as seventy-five cents per bushel, and hay at $30 per ton. The Auditor adds, " this shows the difference between scrip credit pri ces during- the war, acd cash prices immediate ly thereafter." Xow, Mr. Chairman, allow me to make a statement, which will not confuse the minds of gentlemen, nor mislead the judgment of the committee. In the accounts of Lieutenant Sweirzer, cf the regular army, serving in south ern Oregon, in the fourth quarter of 155, which was at the commencement of the volunteer ser vice in that region, and whpn prices were lower than at any rime affc-rwards until its close, he paid for oats 12j cents per ponnd, which, aceord iing to the weic-Lt of oats in that c-otrutry, is $5 per bushel. lie paid eight cents per pound for barley, which is $4 60 per bushel. He paid five cents per pound for hay, which is $100 per" ton. These were cash payments. After tho war he could have purchased as low as Quarter master Erown did. because a new crop had been harvested, and extraordicary demand had ceas ed. This shows the difference between cash prices during the war and cash prices immedi ately thereafter. . The Third Auditor had aU these facta before him, .when h? made the ingenious statement which miscarried the military committee on this point. Slight inaccuracies of figures, as where a seren has been reckoned as a nine, by its being mistaken for that figure by a computing clerk, &e-, IiaTe been placed in lmld relief in this letter, as though more mistakes of the kind in half the amount involved did not frequently occur in the accounts cf every department of the government. "What relevancy has snch kind of criticism to an inquiry into the merits cf these ehams on the pnitcip'es on which they were adjusted? But 1 have no time to go fur-' thcr with these corrections and exposures, al though they might with case be carried to the end of the chapter. . . Mr. Chairman, my friend from Washington1 Territory (Mr. Stevens) thinks that the Third Auditor, "through ignorance did these things." I will not characterize this letter to the military committee in the terms which 1 now think it deserves. I hope it may prove to have been written undcra misapprehension of the realfaets.-; The Committee on Military Affairs (I am sorry that I see uoue of them present) took ac tion based upon the statements of this letter Could action on such a basis be otherwise than unjust ? They reported to this House, through their chairman, (Mr. Faulkner) the following' resolutions, trthich, after some debate wero adopted. The first resolution is unimportant, as no ac-. tion wiH ever take place under it, after the facts are known ; and these facts have been patent on the rolls at all times. The second resolution is intended trr cut down the pay of volunteers from $2 per day to the grade of regular troops. The crying injus tice of this rule would defeat its object the ad justment of the claims cf the citizens for servi--cps rendered the Government in time of war. The volunteers would not accept anything under it. In fact, many cf them could not accept anything, for in cases w here volunteers were furnished an outfit of clothing for the service, as they were in many instances by the Terri--tories, at rates of purchase, and the prices es topped against their pay on the rolls, they wo'd be in debt to the Government after having served four or five months in the war. The service in Oregon and Washington was mostly rendered during the winter months of 1855-'5t, and the volunteers going into the field without tents or shelter of any kind, campaigning most ly beyond the line of settlements, sleeping on the frozen ground or in the mud and snow, they needed about the following outfit : 2 pairs heavy blankets, at $3 1 overcoat..". 1 pair of pant 1 huntinst shirt . ,..$16 i -29- ......... JO 6 1 pair boots Other clothing.. . 10 Araotrnt ... . $2 If in service five months, he might be allow ed sixty dollars. The account wonld then stand : VotrsTEER Ta the Uxited States, . Pa. To one suit of clothes .... $3 Ca. By military services a a private, fcc, from Oc tober lo18a5, to March 15, 135, five mouths, 60 Balance doe the United States $13 But this is not half the account. The volun teer, at the close of the war, wonld return to the settlements, his clothing, and perhaps his constitution worn out in the service. Jf he was poor and had no credit, he could not supply himself with clothing, and before his discharge, would demand of the Quartermaster a suit of clothes to enable him to return to his friends decently clad. There are instances where such advancements have been made at the close of the service. This would add still more to his indebtedness. In all those cases where these liabilities do not appear on the rolls, they have been discharged in cash by the volunteer during tho service. It will be thus seen how insignifi cant the amount of pay under this resolution will be, as compared with -the necessary per sonal contingencies. 6f the volunteers m this war. ; But, Mr. Chairman, it is said the volunteers receive the same pdy as regulars serving in the same field. Xot so at all, . under any applica tion of this rule. The regular soldier is reliev ed of every possible expense ; he is clothed and fully rationed, and quartered, at the cost of the Government ; he then receives his monthly pay clear of charges. If he ia transported to that country, it coats the United States $vilO per man trom A ew X orK to tne place I renuezvoua of the volunteers. U he enlisted in Oregon or Washington, he received $130 in cash, as a bounty tor enlistment. The effect of this en listment under bounty does not keep- the soldier in that country, for he may not serve there six months." ; . ' - - - There are upon the rolls of this service six thousand four hundred and fifty-two men. 1 o have recruited them on the .Pacific coast. it wonld have- cost the United: States 9333,760,. To have transported them there, from New