Mr. DOOLITTLE. We have been at war with these Sioux since 1862. I have no doubt the expenditures of the Government in prose cuting wars against the Sioux, on these plains, have amounted to over 30 million dollars. There is a difference between making appropriations to the Interior Dept to feed ndians, and making appropriations to the War Dept to furnish the commissaryDept, or the transportation Dept with supplies. You come into Congress with an estimate from the War Dept for commissary supplies, and in a smgle bill of appropriation you will appropriate $400,000,000 peraps, all in one immense fund, which is drawn upon by the War Dept at will; and so it is with the quarterinasters Dept; the appropriation is all made in one vast sum. But when we come to askfor appropriations for the Interior Dept, you go into the items and take them up one case at a time. Now, we have negotiated several treaties, under the direction of the President, through the instrumentality of the War Dept, with several bands of these Sioux Indians. They were fed by the War Dept, and Congress neverheard anythinga out it. Why not"! Because it was paid for out of the funds of the commissary Dept and the quar termasters Dept, and we never knew anything about it. But now, when the War Dept say they have not the funds and cannot furnish the commissary supplies an longer, the Interior Dept must furnis supplies to these very Indians whom the War Dept have invited into council to see if we can have peace with them; and when the Interior Dept presents its estimates before Congress and we look into them, they appear to be very large. The sum to be appropriated here is $121,000, but it is not for a single treaty. The Indians are invited to meet at live different posts, 100s of miles from each other, some on the upperPlatte, some on the upperMissouri. I suppose they will assemble, and if they assemble, and the War Dept is not prepared to feed them during the assembling, what shall be done with them? If we do not make this appropriation, the Interior Dept cannot furnish them supplies. If they come together at our invitation and then disperse, they will regard it as akiiid of breach of faith on our part to invite them together in this way to negotiate for a treaty alrid make no provision for them while they are tiere. I admit that abuses creep into the Indian Dept, as is the case in ever Dept where money is to be exende. Abuses creep in from the infirmity O human nature. Men are tempted to take advantage of the Government on contracts. Men are some times tempted to defraud the Government; and in dealing with the Indians perhaps the temptation may be stronger, if the Indians are the only witnesses of their transactions. But after all it is much cheaperfor us to deal with the Indians in this way than it is to deal with them by arms. I say to my honorable friendfrom California that I think there is just as much honor, and a great deal more humanity, in feedin and blanketing and making presents to these ndians than there is in chasing them over the plains and slaughtering them, with their wives and children. I hope that this resolution will pass.