Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-24

inan IN All tnat nave Deen puOiisneu- IL acted
upon, the Southern states will soon be relieved Of
their Indian populations and, to that ertent, pla-
ced ON footing with the others
DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
March 7th, 1926.
SIR transmit, the enclosed copy of report
Of General Clark, Superintendent OF Indian AT
fairs, the scheme for the preservation and civil
zation OF the Indian Tribes, under the con-
sidesston Of the Committee on Indian Affairs, in
THE persuasion that the Committee will find in it
sound and enlightened views that subject
have the honor 10 be,
Your obedient servant.
JAMES BARBOUR.
Hon. JoHN Cooke,
Chm. Com. Indian .dfairs. H. of Reps.
WAsurNGroN CRY, March 1, 1926.
SIR have just read the printed copy of let
ter from you to the Chairman OF the Committee on
Indian Affairs, and have, also, seen and examined
the bill reported by that Committee, for the pre-
servaton and civilization of the Indian tribes
within the limits of the United States and, in
obedience 10 your request, will submit TO
you my ideas with respect TO the interesting sub
CT TO which they relate.
The view which Is taken in the letter OF the REL
atige condition OF the United States on one side,
and the Indian tribes on the other, is, in my opn-
son, perfectly correct and the obligation which
rom extinction, As the letter su: gess, and TO
make perseverng eyerions TO improve their con-
dnion, is equally the dictate of magnanimiiy and
Justice. The events OF the last two three wars,
from Gen. Wayne's campaign, in 1874, 10 the end
OF the operations against the Southern tribes in
1913, have entirely changed position w tn re-
gard to the Indians. Before those events. the ibrs
nearest our settlements were formidable and
terrible enemy since lien their power has been
broken, their warlike spirit subdued and themselves
sunk into objects of pity ard cgnmisera,ion,
Whl!e strong and hostile, II has been our obvious
policy TO weaken them now, that they weak
and harmless, and most Of their lands fallen into
our hands, Justice and humanity requires US to
cherish and beTiend them. 70 teach them TO live
IN house, TO raise grain and stock, 10 plant orch
ards, 10 set up land marks, 10 divide their pos
sessions, establish laws for their GOV ernmen. to get
the Tudlments OF common learning, such as reading
writing, aid cspLerng THE first steps towards
improving their condition. But TO lake these steps
with effect, 1t IS necessary that previous ineasur es
OF great magnitude should Ire accomplished, that
~, that the tribes now within the limits Of the
States and Territories should be removed to
country beyond those limits, where they could resi-,
in peace and enjoy in reality the perpetuity of the
lands on which their Buildings and improvements
would be made.
This great measure is proposed in the bill 10
which ] have referred, and the country west of
Missouri aid Arkansas, and west OF the Missis-
sipPi river, north OF Missouri, is the OF destined
10 receive them From all accounts, this coun-
Try Will be well ADAPTED TO their residence 1t is
wei watered with numerous small streams, and
some large rivers abounds with grass, which will
make II easy to raise stock has many salt springs,
from which supply Of the necessary article o..
salt can be obtained contains much prairie land
which viii make the opening Of farms easy, and
afford temporary supply of game.
would recommend the following measures to
be pursued
LIST. Employ commissioners who are acquaint-
ed with the Indians themselves, and who are yea
ous in the business, TO negotiate for their removal
and to impress upon their mind the conviction of
the Truth, that it is impossible FOR them to remain
as independent nations within the limits of these
States and Territories.
"a. Lay of suitable portions of country for the
different tribes TO remove 10, and facilitate their
removal by placing agents at suitable points where
they VIII cross the Mississippi and at other points
on the line oil march, TO supply them with proyi-
sion, ammunition, Sc. Nor should they be requir.
ed to move in boy, but singy, or in families, as
hey pleased. In this way constant tide of In
dian emigration il now going on from the states of
OHIO, Indiana, and Illinois, to the west OF the Mis-
sissippI. They cross at ST. Louis and ST. Gene
we've under my SUPPLEMENTARY; and my annual
accounts with the Government show the ala which
IN This work, and laboring hard to collect their dis
persed and broken tribes at their new and perma-
nent homes
30. TO assist them in commencing an apricuI-
tura fe by incIosing with fences an ADEQUATE por-
uon oil ground near TO each village, and have il
broken up with the PLOUGH, and divided into par
GELS Tor each family, ami have ii planted with all
the common and most useful frat trees: also fur
nish Them with stock, animals, and the different
Kinds OF fowls and assist them in the erection of
permanent houses
The condition fnany tribes west of the Mis-
slssippI - the most ptiable that can be imagined
During several seasons in eyerv wear tbev arc die
ffessed by famine, in which many die for want of
iood' and, during which, the living child is often
buried with the dead mother becasse no one can
spare u as much food would sustain il through
iiF helpless infancy. This description apr5ies TO
sioux, Osages, and many Others, but mention
hose because they powerful tribes, and live
near our borders, and my official station enables
me 10 know the exact truth II is in vain 10 talk 10
people IN this condition about learning and religion.
lhey want regular supply Of food, and, until
,hat - obtained, the operations Of the mind must
axe me instinct OF mere animals, and be confined
10 wadiDg Oh hunger and cold The nations
Whieh l"ye mentioned, and many others west Of
TIE mississippi, have neither hogs or cows, and do
not want them, because they would eat up tIer ttl,
paIchcs OF corn, which are without fences and be-
cause, as 'he whole nation has TO 20 out 70 hun
twice year, and at thai period have nothing Il
eat az nome hogs and cows could neither 90 will
. them nor be left at home in safety. They wan
nothing but horses and dogs, which sceompan,
tDen m their huns; and, in these expeditions. thI
Ased and intirm, when unable 10 keep IN, are ire
qienily let 70 die To stop all these evils, fences
soeS' ana gram are the frs. things to be givel