Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 23.djvu/50



38 C. F. COAN

those employed in the public service may receive their salaries at the end of each quarter, together with the current expenses provided for by law, seems called for not only as a matter of justice to the employees of the Government, but as a means of insuring energy of action and efficiency in the service. What may have been the practice heretofore in this Department I have no means of ascertaining, but as Agents are still claiming salary due them since the quarter ending September 30th, 1852, and others claiming traveling expenses for two years past, great delay in the auditing and settling of accounts, is evident.

As further evidence of this H. H. Spalding Esq. claims one quarter's salary yet due him as Indian Agent in 1851.

In order that the Department may understand the data on which is based my estimate of the expense of treating with the Indian tribes of Oregon generally, I herewith transmit a table of the estimated expense of treating with the several tribes East and West of the Cascade Range so far as such treaties may be deemed necessary.

I am very respectfully,

Your Obt. Servant

Joel Palmer,

Hon. Geo. W. Manypenny Superintendent.

Commissioner of Ind. Affrs. Washington City D. C.