The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-12-24

year, and have been discharged with abili-
ty and success.
Pacific relations continue to exist with the
various Indian tribes, and most of them man
ifest strong friendship for the United States.
Some depredations were committed during
the past year upon our trains transporting
supplies for the army, on the road between
the western border of Missouri and Santa Pc.
These depredations, which are supposed to
have been committed by bands from the re-
gion Of New Mexico, have been arrested by
the presence of military force, ordered eat
for that purpose. Some outrages have been
perpetrated by portion Of the northw esteIn
bands upon the weaker and comparatively
defenceless neighboring tribes. Prompt meas-
ures were taken to prevent such occurrences
in future.
Between one and two thousand Indians,
belonging to several tribes, have been re-
moved during the year from the east Of the
Missippi to the country allotted to them west
of that river, as their permanent home; and
arrangements have been made for others to
follow.
Since the treaty Of 1876 with the Chero-
KEGS, the feuds among them appear to have
subsidized, and they have become more united
and contented than they have been for many
years past. The commissioners, appointed
in pursuance of the act of June 9th, 1896, to
settle claims arising under the treaty Of 1895
'36 with that tribe, have executed their
duties; and after patient investigation, and
full and fair examination of all the cases
brought before them, closed their labors in
the month of July last. This is the fourth
board of commissioners which has been or
ganized under this treaty. Ample opportuni-
ty has been afforded to all those interested to
bring forward their claims. No doubt is en-
tertaned that impartial justice has been done
by the late board, and that all valid claims
embraced by the treaty have been considered
and allowed. This result, and the final set
tlement to be made with this tribe, under tho
treaty of 1876, which will be completed and
laid before you during your session, will ad-
just all questions of controversy between
them and the United States, and produce
state of relations with them simple, well de-
fined, and satisfactory.
Under this discretionary authority con-
ferred by the act of Sd March last, the
annntes due to various tribes have been
paid during the presentyear, to the he ads
8 ~ 6,
such persons as they might designate, ex.
cept as by the laws previously existing.
This mode of payment has given general
satisfaction to the great body Of the In.
dians Justice has been done to them and
they are grateful to the government for it.
few chiefs and interested persons may
object to this mode of pay ment, but it is
believed to be The only mode of prevent-
ing fraud and imposition from being prac-
t'sed upon the great body of the common
Indians, constituting majority Of all the
tribes.
1t is isgratifying TO perceive thata num-
her Of the tutors have recently manifested
an interest in the establishment ofschools
among them, and are making rapid adj
vances in agriculture; some of them pro-
dacing sufficient quantity of food for
their support, and surplus to dispose of
to their neighbors. The comforts by
which those who have received even a very
limited education and have engaged in
agriculture, are surrounded, tend gradu-
ally TO draw off the less civilized brethren
from the precarious means ofsubsistence,
by the chase, to habits of labor and civil
ization.
The accompanying report ofthe Secre-
tary Of the Navy presents satisfactory
account ofthe service during the last year.
Our commerce has been pursued with in
creased activity, and with safety and sue.
cess in every quarter of the globe under
the protection Of our flag, whieh the Navy
has caused to be respected lnMthe most
distant seas.
In the Gulf Of Mexico and the paci fc,
the officers and men of our squadron have
displayed distinguished gallantry, and
have performed valuable services.
ln the early stage of the war with Mex
ico, her ports on both coasts were block
AIDED. aud more recently many of them
have been captured and held by the Navy.
When acting 10 cooperation with the
land forces, the Naval officers aud men
have performed gallant and distinguished
services on land as we'll as on water, and
deserve the high commendation of the
country.
While other maratime powers are ad-
ding to their nsvies large numbers Of war
steamars, il is wise policy on our part,
TO make similar additions to our navy
The four war steamers authorized by the
Sd of May, 1887, are in course ofconstluc-
tiop. 4-
10 addition to the four war steamers