The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-28


NIL up country adjoining and north OF Iowa sufficient
IN extent Tor another State that their location
may be permanent and the government be relieved from
any future interference between them and the citizens Of
the United States
The Chippewas Of the Mississippi and lake Superior
sti own considerable extent OF country east OF that
river and in the vicinity of that lake portion is said
to be so well adapted TO agricultural purposes, and part
so rich IN minerals and ores that il will probably at
early day attract considerable white population: The
principal means OF subsistence OF these Indians is the
chase they widely dispersed that bat little super
vision can be exercised Them and hence ardent
spirits can be introduced among them with facility and
lille risk OF detection While they remain in their pres
ent situation, but little If anything be done TO give
them the benefit OF the benevolent policy OF the govern
ment Tor the improvement OF the Indian race. Until
change shall have been effected in the feelings and dis
position OF tribe, and their wandering and unsettled
habits shall have begun TO give way settled
and regular mode OF life there is but barren field for
the moral and intellectual teacher Such change can be
brought about only by concentrating them within fixed
and reasonable limits, where they given to understand
reap the benefit OF any arrangements they may make for
their subsistence and comfort. Game will soon be.
come scarce, and they will be compelled gradually to
resort to agriculture and other pursuits OF civilized
life, when fruitful opening will be afforded
or efforts for their moral, intellectual, and social
i'm Proyement By being concentrated, ardent spirits
can also 10 much greater extent be kept from amongst
them; The purchase OF the lands the Chippewas east
and their removal TO those owned by them west OF the
Upper Mississippi, which believed to be ample for
their accommodation, and suited TO their condition and
wants, would be the first and necessary step towards
bringing about those desirable results among these peo
pie For further information to the expedency OF ne
gotatng with them for their lands OF the Missssp
respectfully refer the reports OF Governor Do lge,
w. A. Richmond, and their subagent, J. p. Hays
bered / 8, and T.
An appropriation of two thousand dollars was made at
the late session OF Congress for defayng the expenses
OF negotiation with the Menomonie Indians for their
lands in Wisconsin In all such cases, recently, the de-
partmen before appointing commissioners 10 negotiate,
has deemed proper IN order 10 proceed understanding
ly and to AVOID useless expenditure OF public money,
10 obtain all the information that could be procured in
reference the fair value OF the lands desired be pur
chased, the disposition Of the Indians to treat where
they would prefer future location and such other par
ticulars would indicate whether negotiation would
probably be successful and what would be the most ju
dclous and economical mode OF proceeding in 1t. II
such information clearly indicates that attempt at
collation. would be unsuccessful, would be useless and
improper to expend the public money in making it, II the
contrary, the department is then enabled TO give precise
and specific instructions, 10 relieve the person
persons selected to conduct the negotiation from
Gus and embarrassing discretion, and to insure that
the terms OF the treaty shall be such the
ecutve can sanction, and feel justified in recommending
to the favorable consideration OF the Senate. Being
without such information with respect to the Me
nomones, Governor Dodge was requested to pro-
cure and furnish it. From his partial reply and sub
sequent annual report No g. there appears to be pros
pect OF negotiation with those Indians being successful
unless conducted in this city, and provision be made for
their half breed relatives, and for the payment of their
debts those relatives and the creditors exercise
trolling influence over them. The Appropriation is insult
hcen to deray the expenses OF delegation to this place.
including the necessary outfit and presents and the
luton of the Senate Of March g. lsi3 pecudes any pro-
vision in treaty for the payment Of Indian debtsa
oluton which has been strictly adhered to in all recent
negotiations.
An unfortunate misunderstanding has for some time
past existed among portion of the New York Indians
On the application OF these Indians the legislature of
New York, in March, lS45 passed for their i'm
provement, Inch gave them municipal organization
and more distinctly and satisfactorily defined the relations
between them and the people of the State generally. II
prescbes the manner Of determining who to be
ognsed chiefs that the Of those recognised
should be recorded and it provided for the appointment
of municipal officers, and amongst others treasurer who
should give bond and security for the faithful perform
ance of his duties, one of which, under the law is ito
receive all moneys belonging to the nation, and expend
the same according to the directions OF majority OF the
chiefs in council After the passage of the law the
f h e names da and
y, aporon Of the chiefs OF the Cattaraugus reservation
from some cause not satisfactorily understood became
dissatisfied with the organization under the State law
and caused their names to be erased from the record
These chiefs and their parsans represented to
prise nearly oneha of the head-nen warriors, and 9th
OF the indians this reservation There thus became
law and an antilaw party Each had contracted debts
for which they were liable, and therefore anxious
to obtain the control of the annues due from the gen
era government, in order to be Of the means of
meeting these liabilities With the earnest cooperation
of the Society of Friends-who for some years have
taken deep interest in the welfare of these Indians
and expended much money and made great eXerons Tor
their benefit and mprovement-the department did all in
its power TO reconcile the antagonist parties Among
other means resorted to- was the Withholding OF their
annuities, the receipt of which at early period of
Importance to them but this and all efforts for the pur
pose proved unavailing. Under these circumstances
the department to the determination to regard the
officers who had been elected and appointed in conform
ty with the State law and the chiefs whose names re-
manned record, the only duly constituted and legal
authorities of these people This course seemed the
more proper, as II in accordance with the spirit OF
the State law and the counsellor appointed by the State
for the benefit Of the Indians had given the opinion that
the law had ''been legally adopted by the nation,
and that the officers, who hold their appointments
under it, duly and consutonaly elected and have
right to execute it ana that any resistance to them
the lawful execution of their duty would be criminal"
The department therefore decided to place the annues
in the hands of the treasurer OF the nation but with the
stipulation that all the just debts of both parties should
customary to pay out OF their annutes AT the desire
of the Indians OF the law party themselves the depart
ment also required its agent to that the money and
goods fairly distributed among all OF both parties
who entitled to share them, that there could
be no just ground of complaint from any quarter Time
sufficient has not yet elapsed to be informed of the
suit The Indians of the Allegheny reservation all
are living conenely and tremendously under the opera
ton of IFS beneficial provisions.
Under the 4h section of the act OF 27th June last,
person appointed to &" ascertain what annuties or
moneys have been wrongfully whholden from the Sene
ca Indians by the late subagent of the United States and
so lost to them The best time for entering upon this
investigation was when the Indians assembled to receive
consequence OF the difficulties before a1verted to- This
has also no doubt, delayed the investigation and the
port of the result, which has not yet reached the depart
ment When received il will be submitted TO Congress
as required by law.
In conformity with the I'd section OF the act mentioned