in our intercourse with the other Indian tribes within
our limits, can not be doubted. Indeed, the immediate
and only cause of the existing hostility of the Indians
of Oregon is represented to have been the long delay
of the United States in making to them some trifling
compensation, in such articles as they wanted, for
the country now occupied by our emigrants, which the
Indians claimed and over which they formerly roamed.
This compensation had been promised to them by the
temporary government established in Oregon, but its
fulfillment had been postponed from time to time for
nearly two years, whilst those who made it had been
anxiously waiting for Congress to establish a Territorial
government over the country. The Indians became
at length distrustful of their good faith and sought
redress by plunder and massacre, which finally led
to the present difficulties. A few thousand dollars
in suitable presents, as a compensation for the country
which had been taken possession of by our citizens,
would have satisfied the Indians and have prevented
the war. A small amount properly distributed,
it is confidently believed, would soon restore quiet.
In this Indian war our fellow-citizens of Oregon have
been compelled to take the field in their own defense,
have performed valuable military services, and been
subjected to expenses which have fallen heavily upon
them. Justice demands that provision should be
made by Congress to compensate them for their services
and to refund to them the necessary expenses which
they have incurred.
I repeat the recommendation heretofore made to Congress,
that provision be made for the appointment of a suitable
number of Indian agents to reside among the tribes
of Oregon, and that a small sum be appropriated to
enable these agents to cultivate friendly relations
with them. If this be done, the presence of a
small military force will be all that is necessary
to keep them in check and preserve peace. I recommend
that similar provisions be made as regards the tribes
inhabiting northern Texas, New Mexico, California,
and the extensive region lying between our settlements
in Missouri and these possessions, as the most effective
means of preserving peace upon our borders and within
the recently acquired territories.
The Secretary of the Treasury will present in his
annual report a highly satisfactory statement of the
condition of the finances.
The imports for the fiscal year ending on the 30th
of June last were of the value of $154,977,876, of
which the amount exported was $21,128,010, leaving
$133,849,866 in the country for domestic use.
The value of the exports for the same period was $154,032,131,
consisting of domestic productions amounting to $132,904,121
and $21,128,010 of foreign articles. The receipts
into the Treasury for the same period, exclusive of
loans, amounted to $35,436,750.59, of which there
was derived from customs $31,757,070.96, from sales
of public lands $3,328,642.56, and from miscellaneous
and incidental sources $351,037.07.