American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-26
THE SENECA INDIANS.

A few days since we published from Buffa-
10 paper an interesting account of the improve
lments now being made among the Senecas in
the Western parts of the State of New York.
I'VE now observe by the following extract from
the proceedings of the Legislature of that
state, that it is proposed to adopt these Indians
I Dc citizens of New York.
In the New York Assembly, Mr.. Collins, by
consent, laid on the table the following concur
lrent resolution:
Whereas, the entire soil of this great
State was once the undoubted property of the
Indian race, and whereas, those of that race
still remaining among US are an orderly aud
law abiding people. Therefore,
Resolved, (if the Senate concur,) That it is
the Judgment of this Legislature of the State,
representing the people of the State of New
York, that by the proper authority all resident
Indians within the limits of this State should
be admitted to the right of suffrages and every
other public benefit and privilege Of our laws.
The following interesting report made by
lfr Schoolcrah, who had been appointed by
the Governor of New York, to ascertain the
number of these Indians and other statistics re-
htive to them, will exhibit correct picture of
their present condition, that probably led to
this movement in the Legislature Of that
State.
Schoolcrafts Report on The Toquois.-We have
read this valuable report with much interest,"
The fact that the author had been employed by
the State, to carry into effect the provisions of
the census act, respecting the Indians, had led
10 expectations on this head, which are most
nullv realized. The number of the several tribes,
and the products of their labor, as farmers, hor-
yiculturists and herdsmen, on the several reser-
vations, within the State, are stated with the
necessary classhcations, to render the facts clear
and distinct This is the first American census.
we believe in which the statistics of agriculture
and vitality in the aboriginal race, have been
formally set forth, and the lists will furnish sub
ects ofnteresting reference hereafter.
Its general results are both curious and in
structive. 1t appears that the births of males,
very slightly exceed those of females, while the
proportion of deaths in males, is still more
strongly apparent. The total number of fe-
males exceeds that of males as l9 to ia dis
proportion which appears quite large, and of
which, the causes may be various The num-
| Der of births, exceeds the Deaths the last year,
| by Just ONE. There were some epidemic dis
eases, however, on one or two OF the reserva-
tons, particularly at Onondaga, which mate
rally affected the ratio. The number OF mar
rages was one in ten families, nearly. A con-
siderable number of persons were found to have
reached extreme age, Al had reached and pass
ed the age of S0-one SO. The district most
favorable to longevity, as denoted by these de-
tails, appears to be the general area of Catta-
raugus and the valley of the Allegany, parti-
c,la rily ba p;na district
There was not found single person born
blind, or any tradition of such an occurrence;
and but one deaf and dumb, and two idiots.
The statistics of their agriculture are OF a
lighly interesting character, and denote, con-
cusively, the capacity of these cantons to sus-
eain themselves, and even to add, under favor
able circumstances, to the productive surplus
industry of the state. Their chief objects of
\ culture are wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. -
They raise cattle, horses, hogs and sheep. The
number of mich cows and working oxen, re-
turned, and the amount of meadow land cut,
denote a considerable advance, as grazers
Very little reliance is made on the chase, in
general none whatever. There is system OF
letting land, which is Objectionable. The au-
thor thinks that those of the Indian population,
who have not come into the system OF farming,
and wish to migrate west, should be allowed to
do so. The number thus disposed is small,
and their withdrawal will be beneficial to the
Industrious classes. The total population with
in the State is 1888, of whom 7Sl are males,
and 1912 females. Ofthis number 8, a were
born in New York, 81 in other States of the
Union, and 1911 in the dominions of Great Bri.
tain There are 462 children at school in Ia
schools and churches Of all denominations
Twenty persons have received a college or AGA
eleuiical education, of whom are physicians
and lawyers, There, are IS Interpreters O.
translators, II teachers or cathechists come
chanics, and 81 professed and practical farm
ers. The quantity of wheat raised last year
was neglectng fractions, / 900 bushels, corr
$4,000, oats % 900 bushels They exhibited
2275 neat cattle, SOS mich COWS, s4s horses
$50 sheep, and sass hogs ss,2l5,4s were re