The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-28

from New Mexico and that some OF the attacks were in
sgaed, IL not participated in, by white persons, whether
Mexcans or renegades and outlaws from our OWN coun-
try is not known The measures and precautions which
II understood directed by you TO be adopted by
the military branch OF the service, WILL it hoped pre-
vent their repetition.
The late treaty with the Cherokees appears to have
produced the utmost harmony among those people. All
pHy distinctions and past misunderstanding have been
iad aside, and they moving forward with increased
acceIeration in the path of civilization and Improvement
In my report of last year, stated that measures in
progress for making the settlement required by this
treaty, and that hopes entertained OF completing il
at early period IN the then approaching session OF Con
gress. Il subsequently ascertained however, that
this could not be done until the claims and other business
before the commissioners, then sitting under the nth
ce OF the treaty OF 1885, determined and fully dis
posed of Those commissioners-ben the fourth board
which had been appointed under that article since S36
convened at the Capitol for the transaction of business
July 31s 1885, and continued in session about year
the period for which the commission had been renewed
Ample notice OF the time and place of their meeting,
and of their readiness to enter upon the discharge
Of their duties, was given; and every necessary Ia
ciy afforded to the claimants and their attorneys
for the presentation and thorough examination of
their respective demands and from their report to the
President OF July 80 lsi7 II appears that they have acted
upon and decided every case which was before them
They say that '.the claimants were not taken by
prise, their acted without giving
time appropriation After all proper delay, the claims
brought from the west BY the former commissioners were
taken up and examined several times with care The
commissioners have succeeded in disposng of every
of these claims; they complete their official term,
before them, and without single demand unadusted and
undecided" The recorded proceedings of these commits
sones, in which set forth their opinions at length in
every evlnce degree OF ability Importantly and pa
ent investigation, which would render their decision
'na" in the judgment OF every one who is not infiu
enced by interest If indeed, they were not expressly
made so by the provisions of the treaty. Regarding
these claims and all others arising under the treaty Of
1885, having thus been disposed of, the department
has resumed It's inquiries, and will now be able i is con-
dently expected TO complete the settlement referred to
In satisfactory manner AT an early day.
The Indians residing the Allegheny and Cattaaugus
reservations in the State Of New York. are represented
The pursued by the department in refusing TO
ognse those chiefs and other persons claiming authority
who declined 10 comply with the requirements of the law
passed by that State in 1915 for the better protection and
municipal organization of the tribe, attended with
the happest results, and all parties have quietly
quiesced in its Just and salutary provisions
Feelings OF much dissatisfaction continue to exist
among those who reside upon the Tonawanda reserva-
ton, relation to the treaties OF 1888 and 1872 by which
that reservation coded to Messrs Ogden Fellows
regretted that they do not the poprey of peace
ably removing therefrom, and OF joining their brethren
the reservations above named, which amply sufficient
extent and resources for all and where. under the os
ering extended to them both by the general and
State governments, and the benevolent efforts of the So
ciey of Friends for their moral and intellectual improve
ment they would forget their supposed grievances
and become happy and contented in the enjoyment OF
permanent and undispuled home
funds now in the Ontario Bank OF New York, TO the
treasury of the United States provided for in the Sd
section of the act of June 9th, 1916 This
stoned no doubt by the difference the rate of interest
which they would thereby be entitled to receive
The report of the commissioner appointed under the
18th section of the act o ascertain what annuiles
moneys have been wrongfully withhoden from the
Seneca Indians by the late sub agent OF the United States
and so lost to them has just been received and in few
days will be laid before you for transmission to Congress,
required by law.
In renting the annutes for the present year, instruc
tons were gwen under the authority vested in the Pres
dent by the act passed at the last session of Congress- to
| all hn,Io off cnnIf,t
ers entitled according to their just proportions instead of
to the chiefs to such persons they might Designate
as required by the previous law They were paid over
accordingly greatly the satisfaction of the Indians gen.
eraly except in the of the Sacs and Foxes, whose
agent, preteys wholly unusiiable paid over theirs
10 the chiefs much to the injury of the Of the tribe
as fair division OF the annities would have given to
each individual from thirtytwo to thirty five dollars
whereas it reported that large portion of them
ed only three dollars and many it is represented, al
ready beginning TO complain of their consequent
tons condition AS far possible all the facts and
cumsnces connected with this nefarous transaction will
The different mode OF payment authorized by the new
law is equitable and just and cannot but be attended
with the most beneficial results Instead of the chiefs
and their special retaners and friends, interested white
persons by whom they influenced and controlled be-
coming enriched at the expense of the tribe generally
under the old system, it will give to every one his just
and proper share OF the bounty OF the government 1t
will also tend to check the inonate system of credits
which has heretofore prevailed by which the idle and
portion of the funds of the tribe, that when the raac
~ of the chiefs and their friends had been satisfied there
but little, if anything, left for the upright and indus
trious A copy OF the instructions, which fully
show the unfarness and injustice OF the old syscm and
the proprety and advantages of the new accompanies
this report (marked Al
The annuities of of the tribes are very large
much greater amount than is requisite for their actual
wants at any period The consequence is that after
supplying their more immediate necessities, the
enables them 70 indulge in dleness and profgacy,
wasted for articles of real value to them. They
will scarcely provide for their wants during the win
ter; and when spring comes, they in so great a
state OF destuton that they compelled 10 resort
attention to agriculture 1t has, therefore, been deter
mined, after full consideration of the subject that
where the annuties sufficiently large, they shall be
divided and paid annuayone half in the fall and
The other half in the spring The different tribes have
been notified accordingly; and so far as is known, all
cheeruly consent to the arrangement, except tribe
acting under the influence of interested white men, who
The spring payments will far supply their necessities
as 10 enable them to put in their crops, and to
tent at least, await their maturing; where not sufficient
Tor the latter purpose, portion resort 10 hunting,
and others remain attend to the cultivation OF the crops
and they will be encouraged to pursue this course In
this way, much more attention may be paid TO the peace
full and more profitable pursuits of agriculture which
will tend greatly to their advancement in civilization,
and to increase the and comforts of civilized
life among them.
| Statements G and II exhibit the investments in stocks
Indian account and the annual interest thereon and
also the amounts not invested but held in trust by the
United States the interest upon which annually appro
prated by Congress. In conformity with the policy
stated in my report of last year, the large sum Of
required for expenditure or the objects of which
had been ACCOMPLISHED has been carried 10 the