The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-16

as may be sufficient to carry on the same. The
approval of the department has been dsven TO this
arrangement, and the buildings will be Immediately
i commenced.
| Great praise is due TO Major VIM. Armstrong,
the able and efficient acting superintendent of Indian
affairs for the western territory whose whole
| ges seem to be devoted TO the discharge of his
| duous duties, and the improvement and advance
ment OF the tribes under his charge, in civilization,
the knowledge ofleters, agriculture and the nechan
| c arts To him Is due the credit, in eminent
degree, of originating and carrying out the great
| scheme OF education upon the extensive scale on
which ii has been introduced among all within his
supernendency.
| The Fort Leavenworth manual labor school, UNI
der the charge and direction of the Methodist Epis
copal society has lost nothing of its former interest
and usefulness, though there seems to be small de-
crease IN the number of its scholars since last year.
Its condition is represented by the superintendent as
highly faerng, attended it still is by 1877 schol
| ars-9l males, and 46 females.
The Friends manual labor school, in the same
agency has 40 scholars--an equal number of either
sex--and is likewise represented TO be prosperous
and 1ourishDg.
The Choctaw Academy in Kentucky, established
early the year 1926 with the assent of the In
dams, and continued to The present tme sreported TO
be in oonditionequal if not SUPERIOR to that of any
previous period Great praise is due to the efforts
made for years past by its benevolent and dstil-
sustain it; who, Notwithstanding his numerous en-
gagements, both private and official, has never
ceased TO feel the deepest interest in the welfare of
the Indian youth there educated. The superintend-
ent represents the present number Of students at
sixty-eight.
Other schools from which reports have been re-
ceived appear to have maintained their usefulness,
and to have added their influence to the general inn
provement IN the condition of the Indians. Most of
these schools, as well as those above referred to,
aid hui ha of I'M find
created and set apart for the civilization of Indians
or are sustained by treaty stipulations.
The tabular statements numbered rs to 81, show
the location Of the several schools, the number of
scholars &c, the amounts expended for the educa-
ton Of the several tribes and the application of the
fund for the civilization of Indians.
Experience has clearly demonstrated the superb
GRITTY of schools conducted the manual-labor
system. The mere teaching of letters to the saw
age mind is not sufficient to givea new direction to
his pursuits render him useful TO his people. 1t
is known that strong prejudices exist among many
OF the tribes against schools, and 1t is only by actual
observation by demonstrating the advantages OF
learning that the Indian can be made to feel its inn
porance. This only be done by combining
with letters such studies call forth the energies of
the body and inspire taste for the arts of civilized
life; for, to the extent that the educated Indian
appreciates his own knowledge, it frequently occurs
that he is deprecated in the estimation of his tribe.
He Is viewed being untitled for the chase and is
able to understand, and of course attach no impor-
lance to his requirements. Thus left without ASSOC
clates, community Of feeling with the few he may
have, he seeks the haunts of the depraVed white
men who swarm on the borders of most of the
tribes resorts drinking, gambling, and other evil
practices, and ends his not unfrequently by
violence and bloodshed.
But by combining manual labor and the mechanic
arts with the acquisition of letters, he rises above
the preudices Of his less favored people; he can
make fences, plough and cultivate the fields; can
raise all the necessares of life; manufacture the re-
quisite utensils, repair his gun, and, in short, supply
all his wants, and exert useful influence among his
people; his brethren, however uDettered, cannot be
mistaken in the advantages OF all this, for what he
sees he understand Give him food, and show him
how il Is raised, and there is strong reason to be-
lieve he will very endeavor initiate the ex-
ample of the industry that produced it. Thus, by
slow and sure means, may whole nation be raised
from the depths of barbarism to comparative civi-
cation and happiness.
The report of the governor of Iowa, g. and that
of the agent of the Sioux, e., show that the British
haf-breeds of the North Red river still continue
their annual incursion, upon the huntlng-grounds
of the Sioux within our territory, and slaughter
large number, of buffalo, the meat ofwhich is dried
and used for the subsistence of the traders connected
with the Hudson Bay Company, and also kill
other animals valuable for their furs. These half
breeds are the subjects of foreign power, and ought
not to be permitted to hunt within our boundaries
to the injury of Indians and the citizens Of the
United States who are trading among them. These
incursions have led to quarrels and disputes
between them and the Sioux, some of which are
said to have been attended with fatal consequences.
The British half-breeds complained of, are repre-
scented numerous, warlike, and well-armed and
consequently come into territory prepared to re-
slst any attempt the part of the Sioux to drive
them away.
The continued complaints in relation to these ex-
petitions induced you to order detachment of dra-
goons, under the command of Captain Sumner, to |
visit these hafbreeds, and inform them that they
would not be permitted to hunt within our bonnda-
ries. This order was carried into effect IN July last
and they promised to comply with the injunctions
thus imposed, but at the time claimed that the
lands once belonged to their Indian ancestors, and
have subsequently transmitted petition to our gov
eminent, requesting permission to continue their |
hunting incursions our territory.
That petition referred to me; and had the |
honor to report that "my opinion is strong and de-
cided that the United States should at once remon-
strate to the British government, of which the in
ruders Subjects against the incurslons of these
halfbreeds and should employ its strong arm, if
cessary, in protecting and aiding our Indians and |
others in opposing their visits, in which they de- |
stroy the game, trade with our people, and intro
duce whiskey into the country in direct opposition
to the provisions Of the intercourse act of 1884"
and have yet no cause to alter change that
opinion.
The annexation of the republic of Texas to the |
United States will make it necessary to organize an
agency branch of this department within its boun-
daries. The SUPPLEMENTARY Of Indian affairs
Tor the western territory includes the Indians |
south of the line of the st. Louis superinten-
dency, and as far west as the Rocky mountains,
and north of the line of Mexico and Texas This is
a large district, and requires the undivided atten-
ton of the present efficient superin tendent. Ow-
ing to the unsettled condition of the Cumanches,
Witchelaws, and other tribes, who lead a wandering
life sometimes being in Texas and sometimes in the
United States it has been impossible to extend over
them the eye of this department. They have neither
belonged, hitherto, to the one government nor the
other; and although several attempts have been made
to negotiate with them, every effort Of the kind has
thus far proved unsuccessful. A commission has
this fall been sent out under more favorable auspices
and il is confidently expected that treaty trea-
ties Of peace and friendship will be entered into with
these wandering tribes.
Humanity calls upon the government TO take the