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

War DKpARrMENT,

vice during the past year.
four Chickasaws, and few Cherokees-number no,
known-have emigrated themselves; and one thousand
moved from east of the Mississippi to the country OF
their brethren west of that river small number OF
Miames, lett behind when the great body OF that tribe
removed from Indiana last year. chiefly TO enable
them gather and dispose Of their fall crops, are, is
believed. either the way or are about starting
for the west.
by Joint resolution of Congress, approved March 3D.
1S45, portion of themabout 16l in number-are per
70 n ndana that thew
could have been removed also, it is believed that
it would have been both better for themselves and bene-
fetal to their brethren who have emgrated. 1t is
doubtful whether they can prosper and be happy
where they are They will, in a great measure, De
compelled to give up their own peculiar customs ana
changes be under the operation Of laws the reasons ior
and advantages OF which, they do not understand whe
they must soon be hemmed in by thrifty white popu,a
ton having its superior resources and greater energy
and industry, every advantage over them; ana win
which, from their origin, peculiar tastes, and backward
ness o % q enuay with Their brethren west they
could live they have been accustomed their peculiar
social wants and sympathies could be grated and they
would not among the Whites be discouraged, by great
disparity circumstances and civilization, from making
proper exerons for improving their condition From
being somewhat advanced in the elements OF civil
lied life, they would example Tor the emua-
ton of their brethren west and as guide to them IN the
brighter path upon which they themselves had entered
degree from the disadvantages under which they must
necessarily labor where they they will become con-
WINGED that would be far better for them to emlgate
and be with their brethren in the west
A portion OF the Sacs and Foxes OF the Mlsslsslpp
whose lands in Iowa were purchased by the treaty OF
October H. 1872 that the date OF my report last year.
had halted in the Potawatome country, have since gone
forward that the whole OF those united tribes are now
comfortably settled in the country assigned them,
by their consent the headwaters OF the Usage
river Immediately south of the Shawnees Now that
they are beyond the reach of these unhappy influences
engendered by the proximity OF an Indian and white
frontier populations and 80 greatly prejudlcal to both It
is hoped that with the aid of udicious efforts, and ad
vice from the agents OF the government, they will soon
n few years. viii be attended with gratifying results IN
their moral and social advancement Though the de-
partment labored without during the past year.
to induce them consent the establishment of schools
among them and to turn their attentions in some degree,
to agricultural pursuits does not feel discouraged but
hopes long, to be able to effect change in their pre-
Confident hopes were entertained that all the Choc-
taws remaining east of the Mississippi would, before this
time have been removed but the department has been
my report OF last year the contract for their removal
made on the 9Th September 1914, with Alexander An
the alst December, 1916, was extended to the LIST
day of June last. 1t is due to the new agents who
then took charge of the business to state, that it
was pushed forward with greater degree OF en-
ergy than it had been before; yet at the end OF the
period of extension during space OF almost three years
there were nearly as many sui remaining east as haa
OOO) estimated to be east when the contract was enter
ed into, having been removed. Efforts were made to in
duce the department consent to further extension OF
the contract to grant new one on the same terms as
those Of the old contract but both propositions were de-
cned twas considered that this system had been fair
y tried under circumstances favorable to success as
could well be enjoyed, but had in effect. faed or, at
least had accomplished results limited and unsatsfac
tory that became the duty OF the department to endea
vor to devise some other mode which would probably be
successful After much inquiry, and full exami-
nation Of the subject was determined to take the whole
by agents of its own selection and appointment, and
measures have been adopted accordingly
having been represented that individuals who were
connected with the emigration OF those Indians under the
expired contract had in the expectation OF Its beng
newed or extended collected and prepared parties OF In
dams for emigration. and thereby incurred expense the
SUPERINTENDENT was authorized to receive all such,
and to pay the persons who collected them just re.
Enumeration for their services and expenses; or, If
they desired permit them to remove the parties to
the Choctaw country west, allowing them reasonable
therefor not to exceed the average rate which 1t
cost the government to remove similar parties or the
1t may not be improper here TO give brief eXpana-
ton of the situation of these Indians and of the position
held by the general government towards them. The 18th
article of the treaty OF Dancing Rabbit creek of $780,
by which the Choctaws sold all their remaining lands
east of the Mississippi, and agreed to remove west OF
DESTROYS Of remaining and becoming citizen of the
States, should be permitted to do 80 on sgnyng to the
agent his intention to that effect d %nn SIX month months - after
titled to six hundred and forty acres of land and for
each unmarried child years of age, living in the
family three hundred and twenty acres; and for each
child under years. hundred and sixty acresto be
secured them fee simple. if they resided the lands
for five years from the ratification OF the treaty, with the
intention of becoming citizens. 1t was also stipulated
that such should not lose the privilege OF Choc-
taw citizen; but that, if they removed, they were
not to be entitled to any portion OF the annues OF the
nation 1t being represented that there many
entitled 10 the benefit of the provisions of this article, who
from circumstances beyond their control, had been pre-
vented from complying with the conditions imposed by
it, Congress authorized the appointment of commissioners
to investigate their claims whose report, far con-
final. Where the Indians were found entitled. and the
land could be allotted TO them consistently with the pro-
visions of the treaty, that TO be 20 done but where
the land had been sold, was so encountered that i
could not be assigned TO them they were to be given
certificates emitting them to enter elsewhere the same
quantity OF unsod lands of the United States OF these
certificates, which denominated scrip, moi thar
e-half to be delivered TO said Indians until af,e
their removal to the Choctaw country west Of the Mis-
sisspp leaving it discretionary with the department 70
deliver the other half either east west of that river
as might be deemed most advisable and proper By
subsequent law Congress funded hehalf not deliverable
east, at the of dollar and twenty cents pei
allowing annual interest OF i've per cent there
1t will thus be seen, that with those who elected
10 remain the relations OF the general government hal
become materially changed; it had no further sPecia
duties to perform, peculiar obligations to fulfil to-
wards them but to set apart and secure to them ht
lands TO which they were entitled under the trea
y. This done far possible; and when
They had severed their connexon with the general gov
eminent as wards, and voluntarily placed themselves
der the legislative control OF the States Their situation
was however, unhappy In the midst of and fan