Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-11

last session of Congress, for purchasing from
the Wyandots in Ohio, ii they were disposed to
sell, the reservations secured to them in that
State, and for their removal TO the west. The
commissioner, Gov. Lucas, conducted the nego-
citation with great fairness and propriety, fully
explaining q to the Indians their own position, the
wishes Of the Government, and the course OF
circumstance urging their removal. The mat
ter is not vet terminated, the Indians having re-
auested time for further consideration.
The necessary appropriation will be asked
for the removal of the SeminoIes, agreeably to
the treaty formed with them; and arrangements
have been made for the emigration OF the Creeks,
as fast as they are prepared for a change OF re-
sidence. There has not yet been suf1cient time
to ascertain the result Of these measures.
am not able to submit to you any more Ia
yorable views of the condition Of the Cbero-
kess than were embraced in my last ANNA re.
port. While every dictate of prudence, and In
fact of self representation, urges their removal,
unhappy councils and internal divisions prevent
the adoption Of that course. Where they
are, they are declining and must decline;
while that portion of the tribe which is establish
ed i'm the west is realizing the dement's which
were expected to result from a change OF posi-
ton. The system Of removal, however. by en-
rollment, is going on; and during the season,
about one thousand persons have passed 10 the
west.
The treaty concluded the oath Of May last
with the Chickasaws, has altered the relations
in which they were placed with the United states.
The proceeds derivable from a portion OF their
present possessions have been assigned to them,
and reservations have also been provided for
such as choose to become citizens of the United
States. Their future condition now depends
upon their own views and experience, as they
have a right to remain or remove, in conforml
ty with their own judgment. The means 7lac-
= 1T. l;---ol go E,lxy to0nofo 4 fhotr
permanent comfortable establishment, and il is
to be sincerely hoped that they will apply them
wisely.
The acts Of the last session Of Congress on
the subject of Indian affairs, have introduced
important changes into those relations. Many
OF the provisions of former laws had become
inappropriate or inadequate, and not suited to
the changes which time and circumstances have
made. In the act regulating the intercourse
with the various tribes, the principles of inter.
communication with them are laid down, and
the necessary details provided. In that for the
reorganization of the department, the number
of officers employed has been much reduced,
| and the current expenses diminished.
Any changes which experience may show to
be necessary in these acts, can. from time to
i time, be provided, until they shall become fully
adapted to the situation and condition OF the
Indians, and to the intercourse, both commer-
Siul Utbu DoiltiSoi "thSh vi w S0Ss
them and our Government and citizens. The
system of removal has changed essentially the
prospects of the emigrants, and has imposed
new obligations upon the United States. A vast
tract Of country, containing much more than
one hundred millions of acres, has been set apart
for the permanent residence Of these Indians;
and already about thirty thousand have been
removed 10 it.
The Government is under treaty stipulations
to remove nearly fifty thousand others to the
same region, including the illinois and Lake
| Michigan Indians, with whom a conditional ar
rangement has been made. This extensive dis
trict, embracing a great variety of soil and eli
mate, has been divided among the several tribes,
and definite boundaries assigned to each. They
will there be brought into juxtaposition with one
another, and also into contact, and possibly into
collision with the native tribes of that country;
and it seems highly desirable that some plain
should be adopted for the regulation Of the in
tercourse among these divided communities.
and for the exercise Of n general power of SUI
p~ervisiOn over them, so far as these objects can
be effected consistently with the power of Con-
gress, and with the various treaty stipnlations
existing with them. II is difficult, indeed, to
conceive how peace can be preserved. and the
guarantee Of protection held out to the eastern
Indians fulfilled, without some legislative provi-
sion upon this subject.
1t will be seen, by adverting to the estimates,
that the ordinary expenditures Of the Indian de-
partment have been reduced to the sum Of fifty
nine thousand eight hundred dollars, a material
diminution, which the provisions of the law of
the last session, organizing that department, has
rendered practicable, and which brings down
its expenditures to a sum less by one half than
the average annual amount for some years past.
The appropriations for a%nnnities being fixed,
and depending upon treaty stipulations, cannot
be reduced by administration.
The resolution of the Senate Of Decembcr 90,
1888, requiring the correspondence of the In
dian department, together with a detailed state.
ment Of expenditures for some years past has
been complied with. These documents will en-
able Congress to judge of the operations of this
branch Of the public service, both in its admins
trative and fiscal concerns.
have tie honor 10 be.