The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-02

Indian Relations.

we think, have satisfactorily shown that the censues
cast by the ST. Louis Republican upon the Indian Depart
nent and extensively copied into the wing presses,
relation to the payment of Sac nd Fox annuitles,
only wholly unfounded but that the officers OF that de-
partnen deserve great credit for their efforts to protect
those Indians from the cupdity Of fathless Chiefs and
the grasping avarice OF interested persons, by whom
those chiefs are influenced The instructions OF the gov.
eminent which publish, prescribing the mode Of
paving the annuties for this year, conformity with the
law OF the last session OF Congress- and which, though
addressed to one superintendent, were made general
will show that those efforts were not confined 10
one tribe, but were extended to all; and that the
officers of the government here animated by the high.
est considerations OF Justice and humanity have laboed
faithfully to break up system under which the poor
Indians have heretofore suffered much wrong and nas
ce; under which few have been benefited at the
pense of the mayhe idle and prohgate at the cost Of
the upright and Industrious There is no doubt but that
the " Republican has been grossly imposed on, as
one can read these instructions and believe for
ment that the department has been " indifferent TO the
calls of humanity" to the varied and delicate inter.
ests inrusied to its care. Indeed it is strongly suspected
that little indifference" TO those matters would have
been extremely acceptable certain quarters and, IN
stead of the attack in question: would have called forth
from the same persons, fusome cuogum the indus
try attention TO duty, and high bearing OF those whom
they now abuse
SIR In placing your hands for distribution. 70 the
agents payment to the different tribes OF lnuans Of
your superintendency the annues due to them for the
present year, becomes necessary 70 can your a1ehon
gess approved the Sd of March last which provides "ha,
all annucs other moneys, and all goods stipulated by
the discretion OF the President Secretary Of War;
being paid the chiefs such persons as they
lies and other individuals entitled participate therein,
with the consent of tho tribe be applied TO such purpo
and tvnf
s members Ma 1ss under regulations as shall be-
prescribed by the Secretary Of War; not inconsistent with
neys goods shall be paid distributed TO tho indians
while they under the influence of any description of
Intoxicating quor while there good and sufficient
reasons officers agents, whose duty il may be 10
make such payments distribution, for believing that there
reach OF the Indians nor until the chiefs and head
the tribe shall have pledged themselves TO use all their in
Huence and make all proper exerons TO prevent the IN
reduction and sale Of suchquor in their country and all
executoy made and entered into by any indian
for the payment of money goods shall be deemed 70 DO
null and void and of no binding effect whatsoever These
provisions wise and beneeent and properly carried
he greatest good those OF our Indian tribes to whom
i + probably One Of b the s mes' ia
passed. Annuities especially when large instead q beng
the source OF benefit and Tue means o. mora. ann s be
productive of much evil among thetn Instead OF being
se 70 pGeae as aeI aes OF obtanns and
comfortable subsistence they have too often proved only the
r ns to the Indians love Of ioence and dn
nation to anything like continuous and profitable labor
We're payable to the chiefs only or persons they
might designate When SO paid it was too often tc case
o al the MhaeVer tie ae and paae ecRe
curing large debts the faith of them which, through
Improper Influences the chiefs would be induced recoy
Mise and sanction as ational and binding the whole
tribe and order to be paid out OF their oe
worse and producing an oppressive inequality among the
individuals of tho tribe, encouragement to those who would
made beneficial of their just share, and general
Il ant nnUd
the Chiefs and the national credit is based upon !nef a
enure principally to themselves and their special rcanes
and friends and the of the tribe get little or nohlns
oma lhsy gel 'sSa the q
such divisions of the funds they choose enables them
control the sentiment and to the individuals Of the
tribe generaIlythus converting what intended TO be
national blessing into national curse But when each IN
produces just idea OF individual right and each knows
exactly what he has to rely upon and tha neyon %snon
The operation of the system Of making the payments
amended with perncious effects in regard them Il cn
the did not offer, TO their peh
%insa and a through e influence and eseons
preerring such claims led their being depressed or ee
waited IN standing and influence with the tribe according
to their disposition to oppose such demands, their viii
ngness to allow them thus giving rise to anu
heartburnngs fatal to peace and harmony among ule''
selves and the tribe. t8tsee Txs
The full power given the department by the law will
these evils wherever they exist Individual payments will
Du n stop especially TO the reckless running into debt to
which OF the Indians have become prone, ana tn
encouragement held them to do so, in the expeca
ton that the chiefs be prevailed on to order payment
out of the general annuities.
The power conferred by the law to withhold the annu'
ties when the Indians under the influence OF ntoxca-
ting drink, while there is any liquor within their con
reach, when they do manifest proper dis.
position cooperate with the authorities of the govern
nen in their efforts to stop to the use OF ardenspls
and the nefous traffic IN them IN the Indian country may
be made the effective means 10 great extent of roofing
out this great and prevalent evil The attention OF the
agents and sub agents viii be called particularly this
SUBJECT and they required to use the power thus given by
the law in the most effectual manner for the accomplish
ment of this great object
Since passage of the law letters have been received
by the President and this department from Of the
traders and alleged creditors of the Indians against cup
G payments, which they represent innovation upon
rights But notwithstanding the law heretofore required
the annuiies be paid the chiefs, such persons
only they might designate. they have nearly all cases
Tor several years past been induced Ny their own people 10
consent per capita payments to the individuals OF The
tribe which has accordingly been done, shown by me
in the Office of the Second Auditor The law oil
the 3D. of March therefore, departure from the custom
which has prevailed for years. is any violation
dians The money will be paid to the families and
individuals of the different tribes and they win be free TO
apply towards the discharge OF their just and acknow-
edged liabilities ~t
As the responsible guardian OF the interests and welfare
OF the Indians and in Of the discretionary power
vested IN him by the law, the President therefore directs
that hereafter all annutcs and other and goods que
to the Indians be paid and distributed heads of families
and to individuals without families entitled to participate
therein, unless different mode Of payment or distribution
Is expressly required by treaty stipulation In which case
the views OF the tribe n general council VIII be faxeni
and the mode prescribed BY treaty he insisted a't
full explanation and due consideration II will be adopted
1t Is alleged by the OF the letters rcerfed to 'oal
the provision Of the law declaring null and void cxecu