The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-04

the proceedings had under the first and Sc
cond clauses OF the 18th article of the treaty of
the lst of November, 1887 with the Winnie
bago Indians have had the same under con
slderaton and make the following
REPORT;
The Committee have examined the subject
committed to them by order of the House, with
as much attention their other duties would
permit they have summoned To w ashngton
and taken the testimony OF few OF those per-
sons who were present at Prairie duo hen,
while the several commissioners appointed BY
the Government TO adjudcate the claims of
halt breeds and creditors provided for IN the
treaty of 1887 Were employed III the discharge
III that duty, and We're, the committee sup
posed. able To give the fullest information as to
the manner IN which it was performed. They
were also such, as from their residence, pursuits
and general observation OF the course Of Indian
trade. would be most competent 10 understand,
explain or expose whatever might be otherwise
nnnteligible and escape the attention of the
committee. From this and other sources they
have collected "A large body Of testimony, which,
while every part OF II may not appear To be rele-
want To the subject immediately under conside-
ration, the committee believe will be found use
nj in any future investigation, which may arise
put iany of the treaties with the Northwestern
Indians and may also afford important lnforma-
non 20 those entrusted with the future ncgotia-
ton and execution ot treaties IN that quarter.
\ an early period OF the investigation, a ma
IonS q the committee became satisfied that
whatever abuses corrpptons might be esta-
bllshed IN the execution OF the first commits ion.
"r whatever errors OF improprleties there might
hr under thu second II was NOT probable that the
proof upon those points would BE- 80 concurrent.
stong aud satisfactory, as TO Justify the setting
aside the awards made under them and to nd
vase new commissions; and they therefore
gave 4 wider range 10 thcr investigation ok
tending It to The general course of Indian trade
ln The Northwest the motives ana Influences
Which generally prevailed both in the maxine
and execution OF Indian treaties, and the habit.
10y llaul aud lmposltlonS practised under them
b'lN hNoh me Government and the Indians
~ result oi the elaborate investigation, in.
-liutrd upon these points by the conuittee
my val not, after all, have time 10 digest and
PRESENT y The House, in such form as 10 ful6
''t,i own lu>t expectations, formed at an earl,
l'iad " theinqulry they can now only presen
summary ~ the information collected and o
lnt DEDUCTIONS which may be fairly made from
th,m
The principal ground on which this investi
2dlon wa, instituted by the House, was the al
.'dlon u very gross fraud and corruption il
lpWoro ndugs Of the first commission, unde
iM'' point From the prominent part which on,
WI VIZ pImclpal agents concerned in the nogo
l9 ~ y The treaty took in the adjudication .
lA' rd'tn, under II, the committee inferred tina
l1 frauds which We're so manifest in the pro
"rdu9> OF the commission might have beer
nl' w. contamination of an original iraudulen
H1isn IN making the treaty, They therefor
l'll mlharHed To inquire into the origin OF tn
Io1'N and the circumstances attending its ne
-'l'iu91 This inquiry has developed som
lhsuaf arls and suggests the propricty OF stl
I"fll'f c>tnluations into that branch Of the ad
niul,tGIIrc duties OF the Government.
>lu.o Tie act of 2Sth May 1890, by whic
M p'h,y Of removing the Indian tribes trou
'a .a,t % the west Of the Mississippi was sane
a.d aud provided for. most. il not all, of ia
"An'lolS treaties made with Indian tribes hay
'''a more " les, connected with the execute
ei policy. That act was passed chief
VIVA a view TO the removal of the Cherokee
''i other large tribes Of the South, whose loua
residence within the limits of the State
1t'a'tntd tu produce serious collisions botwee
'H' jurisdiction Of the Federal Government an
'lF states and between the States and the II
u@a tubes which claimed To regulate then ow
'Hlf~ within Their own country.
But the authority gwen to the Executive b
that act was not confined to the Southern trlb,
1t was general IN H. terms, and applicable