Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-03-08
OFFICIAL PAPERS.
REPORT UPON INDIANS.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
24th JQnuarU, 1925.

= ftt TEHIueHt y sHE CUf{CG DEUEES
In obs aience TO your Instructions, di
rectiDg statement of the Indian tribes
DOW rcmainlng within the limits of the
different states and territories, the num-
Der OF each tube, and the quantity OF
land claimed by each; also, an estimate
Of the amount Of appropriation necessa.
Wy to commence the work of moving the
Indians beyond the Mississippi, 10 be
laid before you; | herewith enclose a
report from Col. Thomas Mex enney,
to whom is assigned the charge OF tie
Office of Indian Affairs, which contains
all oil The information required, excep'
the estimate OF the sum that viii be ne
cessary to be appropriated to commence
the removal.
IN forming the estimate required, it
will be necessary to take a summary
view OF The number and position of the
several tribes to be removed, and TO form
plan. in detail, for their removal.
Il appears, by the report enclosed,
shat there are, in the several states and
territories, not including the portion OF
Michigan territory west of the Lake Mi
chigan, and north Of the state Of Illinois,
about $4,000 Indians, and that they oc.
cupy about II 900, 900 of acres of land.
The arrangement for the removal, il
rs presumed, is not intended to compre-
bend the small remnants of tribes in
Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Rhode-Island, Virginia, and Sou,h.Ca
rolina, amounting to 5,o23. 10 thes'
also may be added the remnants of tribes
remaining in Louisiana, amounting ,e
ISIS, as they are each OF them SO few
in number, that, it is believed, very little
expense or difficulty will be found in
their removal, making together 1886,
which, subtracted from the $4,000 The
entire number in the states and terrific
lies, will leave 1864 to be removed
Of these, there are residing in The north
ern parts of the states OF Indiana, Illinois,
in the peninsula OF Michigan, and New
York, including the Ouowas in Ohio,
about 10, so, which | would respectful
ly suggest might be removed with adj
vantage to The country west Of Lake Mi
r;higan, and north ofthe state OF Illinois.
The climate and the nature of the coun-
gry are much more favorable TO their
habits, than that west Of the Mississippi !;
10 which may be added, that the Indians
in New York have already commenced
settlement at Green Bay, and exhibit
some disposition to make it permanent
one; and that the Indians referred to 10
Indiana, Illinois, in the peninsula of Mi
Chigan, and Ohio, will find in the coun-
try designated, kindred tribes, with whom
they may be readily associated. These
considerations, with the greater facility
with which they could be collected J.;
that portion of the country, compared
with that of collecting them west Of the
Mississippi, form strong inducement
70 give it the preference Should the
proposition be adopted, the Indians in
question might be gradually collected,
as it became necessary, from time to
time, to extiDguish the Indian title in
Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, without
mourning any additional expense other
than what is usually incidental to such
cx,inguishment. Deducting, then, the
Indians residing nthe northwestern parts
of Indiana, Illinois, in Michigan, and
I1ew York, with the Ottawas in Ohio,
amounting TO 1880, from 92,664 will
leave but 1854. l, is proper to add,
that a late treaty with the Quapaws sti-
pulates and provides for their removal,
and that they may also be deducted from
the number, for whose removal provision
ought to be made. They are estimated
at 700, which, deducted from 1854
will leave 1884 to be removed west oil
the state of Missouri and territory of Ar.
kansas, should the views of the Depart.
snent be adopted.
OF these, there are estimated to reside
-in the states of North Carolina, Georgia
Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi
$685., consisting OF Cherokees, Creeks,
Cbecktaws, and Cnlckasaws; and claim.
ing about 33,575,l76 acres, including
the claim of HE Cnerokees, in North
Carolina; 3,o82 in Ohio, and in the
southern and middle parts OF Indiana
and Illinois, consisting of Wyando,ts
Shawnees, Senecas, Debawsres, Kaskas.
kias, and Miami and Eel rivers; 5000 r
Florida, consisting of Seminoles ant
remnants Of other tribes; and the re,
.mainder in Mi ouri aud Arkansas
consisting Of .Delawares, Kickapoes