American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-04-27
REPORT
or THE COMMITTED ON INDIAN AFFAIRs.

the making provision for the civilization of the India
tribes adjoining the frontier settlements of the Unite
States, &C. &c.
March 3d. 1924 Read ordered that upon the table
Mr.. Mclean, (Ohio,) from the Committee Of
Indian Affairs, to whom was referred the resolution
Of the 9th OF January, insrucing them TO inquir
into the expediency OF repeating an act, enlItle
An act making provision for the civilization of til
Indian tribes adjoining he frontier settlements, pas
sed or the Sd Of March, 1879" made the foowin
Report:
That they have examined the subject embraces
by the resolution, and beg leave to submit the fol
lowing statements
The committee have carefully examined tn
measures which have been adopted for the dishurse
ment of the annual allowance made by this law, an(
find them very judicious, and such as are best cal
cuated to eiectuate the benevolent designs OF tht
government. Although the reports heretofore mad
by the Secretary Of War contained the rules b.
which the SUN granted was to be apportoned AM
paid, the committee annex them to this report, am
wish them to be referred to as a part of it, Tn
committee also submit statement, shelving the diff
ferent sum paid to the Indian schools which hay
been organized and the number Of scholars laugh
at each school.
From this statement it will appear, that twenty
one schools have been established all except three
since the passage of the above law, and, principally
by the means which il affords At these school
there are taught more than eight hundred scholars
whose progress in the acquisition OF an English edu
cation, exceeds the most sansuins expectations tha
had been formed.
Very comfortable school houses have been cree
ted, for the accommodation of the different schools
ard, in most cases, convenient dwellings Ter III,
teachers.
So far as the committee have been able to ascer
tain, the plan Of education has been very judicious
and no pains seem to have been spared, TO extend
20 the Indians the Fril benefit Of the law.
All the schools are increasing; AM SO urgent are
the Indians to have their children educated, thai
nnmer GUS applications refused, from the imitec
means which the schools possess. The tne of The
children is not wholly devoted to their books while
at schools the girls are instructed in such arts a.
aie suited to female industry in cIvz d life, aud
the boys are required to devote part Of their time
IN acquiring knowled It Of husbAndry The adj
van es ot male and female in these branC hes are
mos; satisA' tory. AMI ave already had no small in
hueace in nducin their parents become less
lad o. an etraUe te and more nchned TO havs
hSrd residences, and rey far their support on the
cu'tYa ion Of the ground. Such has been the el
tect OF the a1oVe crcuns'anccs :Jnb ned with some
others not more influential tha at many Of the
p.aces where schools have been establish the In
dabs have already constructed comfortable dwell.
N H'i GOklFaNE Ad lIlS III CONSNler1Oe EXte0t
They have become tbs owners Of prope iy neces-
say t. agricultural pursuits and Ter The convenen
ces Of life
The committee are aware that very considerable
AIDS have been given by different christian tenorli.
Nations, all OF whom feel deep intere,tin the o.
rental views Of the government But the commit
lte are well persuaded that had thc government az.
i'rGsd ne pecuniary at very few il any o! the hene
Which have oeen conferred, would have been
2erc ced by the Indians. The annual appto.
N..eian of tn thousAld d9llars has encouraged the
beaeVolsnt AID pous, is many parts OF the country
70 form associations AMI collect donations, Win ,ht
W" OF alih., the humane ~ poses oil the govern
me- Hundr edi OF such associations are now If
ac.ve operation and hey are much cheered in tbeil
eSeroos NY the rapid advances to civilization which
.hc indians have made.
II requires hu lj'le research to convince every
candid mind that he prospect Of ciyilizne our In
evans was never 81 promising as at this time Never
were means tot the accomplishment OF this obiec
50 Jad clousig DEVISED and SO faithfully applied a.
provided IN the above act, and the auXiliary aid
which It has encouraged ltis believed to be ar
essential part Of any plan for Indian civilization tha
win The rudiments OF education, the males shouIt
be tanght the arts OF husoandry and the females !,
perform those domestic duties which Deculjarv he
long tothelr stations in civilized life. The attemnt
"hlch nave heretofore been made, many Of wheel
have tailed omitted this essential part. Many zeal
Gus but enthusiastic persons, who have been mos
conspicuous in endca'ourng 10 reclaim the Indi
ans, persuaded themselves 10 believe that 10 secur
this object, it was only necessary to send mi,siona
RES among them, to instruct them in the christia,
religion, Some of their exertions failed, withou
producing any salutary effect, because the agent
employed where wholly u1itted for the task. O
thers though productive Of some good effect atGrs
eventually iaiied, because to their missionary labor
we're not added the Institutes of education and in
sTnction ~ agriculture. These are combined in III
eXertions now making; and from the good whic
mas been done the most pleasing anticipations {
success are confidently cherished There are man
Indian nations, within our boundaries, who have ey
perenced no aid from these Efforts being restrice
y the means the benefits are consequently lin,e,