Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-12-21

unendy feelings aud tend produce The 'ery evil The
Government Is 90 anxious 10 AVOID N"r could such an
nterpos0n have led 10 The discovery Of the Gsgns "'
the council If The views Of thai bocy i.G UPrn hostile,
and the occasion OF the representatives o: mary Tribes
bring assembled had been deemed flung TO con-
suit wsrike measures, thee consultations would
have been secret, and The Of troops would
have only led them 10 conceal their designs a more
Gerpy
Since this event, the department, has been again called
upon by The Commanding General Of the Western ci'i
s!on OF the army iurnIsh additional troops TO guard
the South frontier from appreciated attacks from
the Indians inhsbng Texas circumstances having led
10 The belief mat these Indians had been excited by The
VI Iican authorities TO attack the Texans his call
the vigilance Of the department. aud inquiries
instituted which did not elicit any information that
would have justified me IN recommending such craught
OF militia proposed 10 aid the regular force on
ihai frontier The Ind ans within the territory OF the
L ). have been warned that they will not Dc permitted
take par, in any cones, between Mexico and Texas
to pass into the territory Of the latter ~h hostile ~
tent; and that The amount VI their annues VIII te stop
ped il they GisObey this order without adlce 10 other
which will be taken 10 enforce Observance
pom The first receipt Of The Intelligence OF the aP-
pes'ance Of the small pox among The tribes en- The Miss
river supplies Of money and of vaccine mailer
Literally furnished the employment OF physicians
authorized, and instructions given for the mmedi
ate and thorough vaccination of The Indians. The re
ports thus far do not show satisfactorily 10 what extent
this duty has been performed.
The subec! OF our indian affairs, conessedy the mos,
difficult and complicated under the supervision OF the
department, being the last year, entirely new 10 ME,
ioreb0re 10 suggest any changes in their management
but subsequent experience and reflection nave convinced
that the present system is defective and that the
evils which spring from 1t will not be remedied by The
measures heretofore recommended nor by the bill which,
last session of Congress, received the sanction vi
branch Of The Legislature. II is unnecessary, nov"
ever discuss the defects merits OF this bill, because
the preliminary condition OF its being carried into e1ecn
ton-ihe previous consent OF the tr!bes-canno. be com
hrr unwIlIngness enter into the confederation or to
adopt the Of government the bill proposes even the
nifcan changes in the settled forms OF govern
ment require be considered with great how much
10 be IN any attempts TO Introduce
those forms among people who have hitherto lived win
scarcely any know ledge oi them would recomne no as
first step that the tribes should be 10 aoopt
system or apted To their wants md
condition. with which there should be little Inerie.
part possbe and that their chiefs be IN
yiled to attend annual council, at which the agents
of Government and the comma ndIng officer OF the
station should be present In this manner the Go
vernment would exercise saluury influence over them,
become acquainted with their wants, and heal their diff
ferences with each other II appears TO me, likewise,
that The Indian agents should not be attached 10 any
TRIBE experience proves that they become lden!l
fed with those whose peculiar interests are conhded 10
lhe. that they mbbe their preludces and e.pouse
their quarres II ought 10 be IN the power Of Govern
ment 10 change their residence from time TO time, and
by assembling them year IN general council with
the chiefs Of all the tribes they will understand and seek
10 promote the general interests OF the red
would recommend that the system hitherto pursued
for the OF tho Indians, by which alone their
civilization be effected, be changed Al present,
the Indian youth receives education which is aitoge
lhc useless TO hun when he returns 10 his home IN the
Western wllds He can read, write, and cipher and,
in his native village there books TO read writ
re uured nd but the pie kept;
such as reckoned the fingers and notched on
stick lie has acquired no knowledge which can be
useuly applied for his own benefit or for that o. his
he hns fnr ten hurt In iro M
matter of course then, he and his acquisitions de-
si,iscd, aud The baeducaed savage too often becomes
q proHgate and drunken vaga5ond. The remedy for
this evil appears to be the introduction OF manual
Iabor schools where the Indian at the time that he
receives the rudnens Of education and taught the
Christian faith, will acquire some knowledge OF farming
and Of tho useful arts, which will secure 10 him the ad-
and gratitude Of his countryme his return
among them and enable him, no, only TO render them
he essential services but 10 teach them by his
npe the vast advantages be derived from
and induce them TO become a civilized community.
The important interests involved in the proper ad-
nnis.aon OF Indian afurs, and the great distance of
he theatre of their management from the supervisory
power at ashngton, require, in my opinion that there
should be attached TO the Office OF the Commissioner
inspector rg"d to VISIT from time time, the stations
Of the discussing officers and Indian agens inspect their
books into their proceedings view the condition
ri the dlfi"ren, rlber and furnish such report as Will
enable the department correct the abuses TO underlined
and pr0vid. for the Of the Indians and generally
extend the mole matter more conn lec sup-rV
than has "re oore been found Practicable BY 'uch
mans conjunction with liberal policy towards
HE who exercise great influence the In
dsns by proper attention 10 the chiefs, through whom
b lone the people b" approached and who ought by
every fair means 10 be c0ncated and attached 10 The
l.. S-and by the CO operation Of the traders, whom
have always found ready lend their AID 10 the Go.
yernnen' reasonable hopes may be entertained Of rI
tending the blessing. and advantages Of Christianity and
ciI iIlzaton to the Indian
All which is respectfully submitted
J K. POlNSETT.
To the President Of The United Sta,es.