The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-14

OF sufficient extent set apart Tor theI iututo Peian
residence The situation OF that tribe, fast sinking un
der The degrading influences which surround them and
pressed upon by the whites, renders u measure OF hu-
mainly to remove them promptly across tho Mlssissp-
pi but they given to understand that they were
moi to consider The neutral ground their permanent
home A treaty, likewise, has been negotiated by TO-
vernon Dodge with the Chippewas, by which that tribe
ceed large Of country east oil the Mississippi
and have agreed retire to lands west OF that river
A mistake has been committed by the surveyors OF
the United States, IN determining The boundary line o.
the land coded to the Government by The couedcratod
tribes Of the Sacs and Foxes by the treaty Of September
1882, aud il simmedatcy determined to do justice
the Indian propreors Of the SOIL aud correct tue mis-
take. The true line, however, would have excluded
fine portion Of country, which was already settled ana
improved; and whaeyerinay be the ultimate policy Inc
Government may think proper to adopt towards the SET
tiers who improve and unoccupicd lands, IN order
to acquire title 10 them by future purchase The De-
partinent is OF opinion that long custom aud the
practice of Government sanctions their acquiring rights
by such means their claims ought to be respected aud
therefore entered INTO negotiation with the Sacs and
Foxes extngush their title to this strip Of country;
in doing so, is deemed expedent establish line
that will no longer be subject to doubt or dispute
Ia this treaty, IN all the Indian treaties concluded
at Washington, regard has been paid to the permanent
benefit Of the several tribes Provision made Tor the
establishment OF schools, well for nsiuctlng the
people in the Of husbandy and for the investment
oil the purchase money to 10 the Indians
perpetual rent, portion Of which is to be applied IN
such manner as you may deem most useful aud bene-
fetal 10 them.
Much more remains to be DONE in order TO insure the
faithful application OF the funds destined for the support
and comfort of the Indians II appears that their
annues really GO the Golfers Of the traders, IN pay
mcnt of debts incurred, in great measure by tho idle
and dssolue but which are charged TO the whole ma
ton and paid out of the common fund. The effect OF
such an arrangement obvious. II encourages the
vicious and dcprives the industrious Of all incentive TO
exertion. The whole Of this subject is Of such vast inn
portance 10th as regards the condition Of the tribes,
aud the character Of the Government that propose to
treat IN separate report and suggest such improve
ments in the existing laws and regulations, may
the faithful application Of their funds the ndiyi-
dual wants Of the Indians
OF the proprlety Of perscverng in the system OF
moving the Indians beyond the evil influences which
surround them within the States aud Territories and
which fast working their destruction there be
no doubt In It's origin, the Government appears to
have been actuated only by considerations Of policy and
expcdcncy but subsequently better splr, prevailed
IN intercourse with the red men, and their removal
from beyond the limits Of the States aud Territories,
rendered imperative by the peculiar circumstances OF
their situation. connected with liberal aud beneh
ca provisions for the aneloration of their condition.
From frontier people, roaming free and unresrained
rackess forests and extensive plains and s;bsst
ing the products Of The chase they had suddenly, by
the rapid spread of the whites, become communities,
surrounded by agricultural, en,crpnsng, and enlght-
ened people, seeking to deyeope the Of tho
country and in their eagerness obtain possession Of
their lands, pressing them into tho narrowest limits
Deprived of their oly resource, from the dminuon Of
the game and incapable unwilling to resort to agr-
culture for subsistence their situation became deplora
BILE, and their distress still further aggravated by
the decisions which deprived them OF the protection of
the General Government, and extended the jurisdiction
Of the States over them The inapude OF the Indian
character to conform to state OF society moulded and
regulated by system Of laws based on the principles
and habits of civilized life and adapted TO give secu-
rlty to muorm pursuits and interests, all differing
from their own, is obvious The only alternative was
removal beyond the limits of the States and the bcne
cent hand Of the Government extended to relieve
that people from the operation Of laws beyond their
comprehension to understand, their ability to OBJ
serve, and to them to distant lands, Astounding
in game and guaranteed to them for ever from the in
trusion of the whites The results of this policy have
surpassed the expectations Of the most sanguine.
The reports Of the superintendent represent early
emigrants living in comfort and abundance, and i'm
proving in the useful arts and hopes may lie
teained Of the preservation of the aboriginal inhabitants
Of this continent, and Of their gradual civilization.
Ample provision has been made for their education,
and the only duty Of the Government which remains
discharged, is the formation Of suitable Territorial
Government, and their admission such supervisory
the general legislation is granted by the laws
to other Territories Of the United States. and for the
exercise Of which they appear 10 be sufficiently pre-
pared.
The subject is confessedy difficult and embarrassing;
but the bill introduced into Congress the last session,
and partially acted upon would seem to offer fair
prospect of success and to these Indians the
enjoyment Of all the advantages of free government,
which the necessity of stretching them the protect
ing arm Of government will admit.
This scheme has been submitted to several of the
tribes and been approved by them, and may safely be
carried into effect and remain in operation until expo
rence shall point out the alterations and amendments it
may require W..
Having received information carly in the Spring of
this year. from sources TO be relied upon, that the Ca
manche Indians had committed outrages upon citi
zens and carried off women, whom they retained
prisoners and that apprehensons entertained Of
their committing other acts Of hostility, If their
plants were listened to and their grievances
dressed Instructions gwen with your sanction, to
Mr. A. P Choueau repair to that country and ascer
tain the facts connected with these ontrages, and the
of complaint, if any really existed to give assu-
RANGES Of ample reparation and exact the same from
Them aud obtain the release of the prisoners, and
store them to their families and friends. With view,
likewise, Of preserving the peace Of that frontier Mr.
Chouteau instructed to invite this powerful tribe
send deputation to Washington, that they might re-
present their grievances and, at the time,
become acquainted with the real strength and
OF the nation they have hitherto deemed lightly Of from
seeing only few posts thnly scattered along the from
tiers and feeby garrsoned it is understood that Mr.
Choucau has succeeded in this part Of his mission
These measures Of precauon were taken from the
cessty OF the case, without any appropriation or legal
provision for deaying the expenses and respectfully
recommend that the subject be submitted TO Congress
for sanction and the necessary appropriations asked
to enable the Department TO discharge its obligations to
Mr.. Choneau; and, further. tina, small sum be
trusted the discretion OF the Executive to be expend
cd emergencies like this, requiring prompt action to
preserve the peace Of the country .a.
The report Of the Commissioner of Pensions shows
the probable increase of the disbursements for the
ing wear, raising the estimate from 81 500 936 to 81,
$50, 49, principally from the operation Of the third
ton OF the law of the 4th Of July, 1886. II will be
seen, likewise, from this report, that some legislative
action is required to deter persons employed agents
Of pensioners from defrandlng them This appears 10