The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-19

'esolution, inquiring-whaR How much Is paid 10
1ach Indian tribe, and what is their number. Why,
me gentleman need not offer any such resolution, as
'hey had already this same information.
some conversation ensued between the two gen
iemen as 10 the precise amount aud nature of the
Information upon this ubiect before Congress which
gave rise TO considerable merrment, the committee
being IN very good mood. Al its close
Mr. MCKAY resumed IL the gentleman wanted
any reform, let him bring ia his bill proposing il in
tangible form. lie (Mr Mex thought il anfor-
tunaie that the government should have made many
Of these treaties with the Indian trbes-pecuarly nm
fortunate But the Senate of the United States had
recently adopted an excellent rule of proceeding.
One OF the great causes Of the evils upon these poor
Indians, was the traders; and the government had
been in the practice Of providing for the payment of
debts due them. Those who were here -four or five
years ago, would recollect that, in some remarks
which he then submitted on the Indian appropria.
Ton bi he brought 10 their notice one of the most
astounding facts which could he conceived of. He
lhousht was with reference TO the Mlamies on
Wyandots-the Miamies, he was told by gentle
inan-lhat most enormous frauds were practised
upon them by these traders; and the Senate of the
United States, IN consequence of the disclosures
then made, came TO the conclusion to make no APP
preparation for debts due these Indian traders.
He agreed further with the gentleman from Mis-
sissippi, and he called upon him the chairman OF
the COMMITTEES on Indian Affairs, 10 submit some
plan. sa0As Apsssks asss~ss, ~ wAioA ~ sppliss-
lion Of these moneys could be secured to the OBJ
Ieeis intended by Congress at the time when the APP
preparation was made. The sum we were annually
sPProPriaung was very largo one in this bill L
was over million dollars and, In 1926, the expenses
OF Indian department had been 50 900, and from that
time they had been one apd two millions many years
never less Than one million. The gentleman called
attention to the fact that the Miames received $685.
UOO, which Is distributed annually among $50 men,
women, and children; and what was the effect OF
this distnbuuoni MIR. Mex. read from a tabular
statement in his hand the numbers Of several of the
ndian Tribes, with the amount Of annuites received
by them respectively tho aggregate receipt being
s3l2, Alb AZ among the number Of TAO Indians; d-
vidng the number by the other, showed that s35
u head was received by every warrior, or chief or
squaw, or papoose. Still we were bound 10 make the
appropriations. Those which are permanent would
always go 10 them Of course, no matter what might
he the number OF the tribe. But in addition 10 this
sum that they were called upon TO appropriate an
Dualy IN tho fulhment Of Indian treaties, gentle
men found by the reports Of the Con- oner of In
dian Affairs that upwards Of two millions Of dollars
had been invested in Stats stocks for the benefit Of
these Indian tribes.
All he wanted was that these moneys should b.
applied 10 the benefit Of the Indian tribes 10 raise
them up above the level Of the savageto the level
Of the civilized man; and that something further
might be done about the organization OF schools in
their territory. sixiy-odd thousand dollars were
appropriated by this bl 10 the specific object Of ed
ucaton alone, besides 81 1000, the ordinary perma-
ncnt civilization fund. This large amount OF prom
,rty, applied and judciousy expended, might 20 far
towards retaining these savages.
While he was up, there was one subject which
he would touch. The sum had been much larger
b heretofore, hut it had been reduced by some ar
rnngement with the principal OF the academy. But
,bout 81 900 or sl6 900 expended in the ed
lcaon Of youths Of the Indian tribes at the Chocaw
academy IN the State OF Kentucky. This was wrong
This money should lie Withdrawn from that academy.
ii ,lo Ia al 81.
nent Of schools within the Indian territory, where
woud tend TO up villages in tha neighbor-
rood Of the schools, and would give an impulse to
yriculture and enterprise among these people. He
,oped his friend from Mississippi would report some
necihc ball to remedy these defects, and then would
We the more proper time for the discussion Of this
ubject.
Mr.. J. III. EWING said he had no particular OBJ
cotton to the appropriations contained in this bill
BECAUSE they were provided for by treaties, and Of
course we had no other than 10 comply with
Ieaties which were already made. Bur anr ,sr
natter, and one Of great importanC- which Dug. &,
the attention Of the House before they acted on
ills bill, was the manner in which these appropria-
IONS expended. This House ought to know
neither the agents Of the government ave compled
With the treaties which we have made with these
indians. il was incumbent Oh the chairman of the
committee to provide some mode by which they
hould be assured that the money appropriated by
his bill should be properly and honestly distributed
'mons the Indians for their benefit. He believed
there any sin which this government had to
nswer for il treatment OF the Indians IL
vas one OF the greatest crimes that lay upon our
government. We had driven them from their
ZONES, taken their lands from them, and now when
hey were driven to the Rocky mountains, and
,arted with their lands for small stipulation paid
annually, we suffer our own people, our own
'gents TO 60 among them and cheat them GU, of the
money appropriate here to-day. He had no
ioubt but there were hundreds of hungry cormorants
within the sound of his voice who had watched this
oil for weeks and were ready upon its passage TO
descend, and to avail themselves of the spos taken
rom these poor dependant Indians. Let them pro-
'ide means by which this money should go for the
advantage, not for the disadvantage, Of these lnd-
ms. Their tribes were going into decay, and
treat wac, that our people were going among
hem carrying spurious liquors, which was corrupt
ng, enervang, and destroying them.
Mr.. THOMASSON, with reference to what had
,cen said by Mr.. KcKAr about the Indian school in
said he had endeavored, by resolution at
he last Congress, to bring the subject of this acad-
amy to this House; and he had been aJlc to get no
report from the Committee on Indian Affairs on the
subject. He had been informed by intelligent men
in Kentucky-by Indians themselves who were &C.
auainted with itand he believed that this academy
was nuisance; and now this House had the same
information from the chairman of the Committee of
WAYS and Means. ,..... r. ...
Mr.. MCKAY. The gentleman misunderstood
me. ] did not call it a nuisance.
Mr.. THOMASSON. To that extent with
draw my declaration. But the gentleman concurred
with HIM (Mr. T.) that the manner ofthe appropri-
alton for that school wrong. He said, on the
authority Of gentlemen, men of intelligence and not
one, but hundreds that that school was nuisance,
and that the poor Indians pretended to be educated
there did not receive the care which they should;
that they are allowed by their preceptors go and
pay away their money, and even to pledge their
clothes for spurious liquors. instead of their teach
ing them morality Notwithstanding all his efiorte
he had been unable to get report from the Com
n,ittee on Indian Affairs at the last session.
Mr.. BENTON interposed, (Mr T. yieldng,) and
said there a report made on the subject
And some conversation passed between the gen.
emen as to the purport OF that report, from which
it appeared that it did not come up to Mr.. THOM-
ASSON'S views, not being directed to the abolition
of the academy, but to some incidental question
Mr.. THoMASSoN concluded by repeating his
conviction Of the necessity Of the abolition OF the
academy, and his desire that the money should be
expended within the Indian territory, where many
49, s~nnn lnH in