"The United States should keep their own trespassing citizens out of this Territory, and should sacredly keep and perform every other obligation entered into with these people. No excuse can be made current for a failure to do so. "The cutting or stealing of timber, hay, or stone, the grazing or raising of stock, and all other wanton and willful trespassing by United States citizens upon lands held in common or in severalty by these people, should be made a criminal offense, punishable not only by fine (which is usually not collectable) but also by imprisonment." In furtherance of these views, I have the honor to submit for your consideration the draft of a bill, which if enacted will, I think, prove a wholesome check to intruders, and, subject to your approval, I respectfully recommend that it be transmitted to Congress to be offered as a substitute for H. R. 2867, which simply amends the existing statute in regard to a second offense, and does not, in my judgment, go far enough. Duplicate copies of this letter and of the bill prepared in this office are herewith submitted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. PRICE, A BILL to amend section twenty-one hundred and forty-eight of the Revised Statutes of the United States, in relation to trespassers on Indian lands. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That section twenty-one hundred and forty-eight of the Revised Statutes of the United States be amended to read as follows, namely: "Every person who without authority of law enters and shall be found upon any Indianlands, tribal reservation, or lands specially set apart for Indian purposes, shall, for the first offense, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than one year; and for every subsequent offense, shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not more than one thousand dollars and not less than five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than two years, nor less than one year; and the wagons, teams and outfit of such person or persons so offending shall be seized and delivered to the proper United States officer, and be proceeded against by libel in the proper court, and forfeited, one-half to the informer, and the other half to the United States, and in all cases arising under this act, Indians shall be competent witnesses: Provided, however, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to emigrants or travelers peaceably passing through such Indian lands, tribal reservations, or lands especially set apart for Indian purposes, without committing any willful trespass or injury to person or property." A communication from the Secretary of War, with plans, estimates, &c., for the completion of the military post at Fort Lewis, Colorado. MARCH 29, 1882.-Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed. To the Senate and House of Representatives: I transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of War, dated March 25, 1882, with accompanying correspondence, plans, and estimates, in which he recommends an appropriation of forty thousand dollars ($40,000) for the completion of the new post at Fort Lewis, Colorado. EXECUTIVE MANSION, CHESTER A. ARTHUR. March 29, 1882. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, March 25, 1882. I have the honor to transmit, with the accompanying correspondence on the subject, plans and estimates for the completion of Fort Lewis, Colorado. The amount already appropriated for the construction of this post is $40,000, and a like sum is now asked to finish the same. Fort Lewis is a remote post, and absolutely necessary for the protec tion of Southern and Western Colorado. The plans and estimates being approved by the General of the Army and the Quartermaster General, I respectfully recommend that an appropriation of forty thousand dollars ($40,000) be granted by Congress for the purpose. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, To the PRESIDENT. ROBT. T. LINCOLN, Col. R. WILLIAMS, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Assistant Adjutant-General, Chicago, Ill.: The post is one of the most important of the posts along that frontier, and should be thoroughly finished and kept garrisoned to its full capacity. It is placed practically between the Navajoes and Utes, where their limits are conterminous along the San Juan River, and where it can best overlook the country as against both tribes. It is also well situated for commanding to a considerable extent all that region of country west and northwest of it known as the Dolores Valley and Plateau, where some of the best mining regions in Colorado are found, and which is being rapidly filled with people. The communication, too, with Southern Utah and the lower valley of Grand River is direct and easy, and for effective protection in any part of that country the garrison of Lewis will be easily available. The plans for this post have been approved by the War Department, and it is to complete the work begun last year according to these plans that this appropriation of $41,169.71 is respectfully asked. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. POPE, Brt. Maj. Gen., U. S. A., Commanding. HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, Respectfully returned to the adjutant-general of the division, recommending reference of these papers to the War Department, with request that the present Congress be asked for an appropriation for this purpose. C. H. TOMPKINS, HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSOURI, Respectfully forwarded to the Adjutant-General of the Army, approved as recommended by the chief quartermaster of the division. P. H. SHERIDAN, Lieut. General Commanding. ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, D. C., December 31, 1881. Respectfully referred to the Quartermaster-General. R. C. DRUM, QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Respectfully submitted to the honorable Secretary of War, through headquarters of the Army, inviting attention to the recommendations of General Pope and the Lientenant-General, that Congress be asked to appropriate $41,169.71 for 8 sets of officers' quarters and 4 company barracks to complete the post of Fort Lewis on plans already approved. From records of this office the history of the case is as follows: On January 17, 1879, the Lieutenant-General recommended an appropriation of $100,000 for an eight-company post at Pagosa Springs. The General of the Army reduced the amount to $50,000 and the size of the post to four companies, and the Secretary, January 23, 1879, asked Congress for the $50,000. In sundry civil bill approved March 3, 1879, the following appeared: "To enable the Secretary of War to establish a military post in the vicinity of Pagosa Springs, $40,000. The money was sent to Colonel Bingham April 28, 1880. Question of location claim ing much attention, it was July, 1880, before plans were received and submitted to the Secretary, who approved them August 26, 1880, and authority was given to use therefor the $40,000 already referred to and appropriated for the purpose. M. C. MEIGS, Quartermaster-General, Brt. Maj. Gen., U. S. A. * HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Respectfully submitted to the honorable Secretary of War, approved and recom mended for $40,000 at Fort Lewis, Colorado; plans and estimates herewith. Fort Lewis is a remote new post, deemed absolutely necessary for the protection of Southern and Western Colorado. W. T. SHERMAN, General. SPECIAL ESTIMATE OF FUNDS REQUIRED FOR THE SERVICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT AT FORT LEWIS, COLORADO, BY 2D LIEUT. JAMES B. GOE, THIRTEENTH INFANTRY, ACTING ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER, FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW POST. |