The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-15
CITY OF WASHINGTON FRIDAY MORNING DECEMBER l5 1sis

I toOre collected IN relation TO Indian tribes
The act above referred to requires not only census
and statistics of the Indian tribes but also the collection
Of such materials will tend to illustrate their history,
present condition, and future prospects. This is duty
which we owe to ourselves, TO poserty to the peculiar
and Interesting people we have in great measure dis
placed, and 10 the world Il Is however, work of time,
requiring great care and much effort and labor The Reid
Ut inquiry very wide one, and the reliable materials
that have been published to the world scanty ard ncom
pleta Besides the vague and imperfect traditions Of the
Indians themselves, which have to be obtained com
pared and analysed, there il much valuable information
TO be Lad from persons yet living who have spent the
greater portion OF long life among different tribes, aad
made themselves well acquainted with many interesting
points N Their history well as with Their habits, man
ners customs Observances, sc Efforts have been made
OBTAIN all such information well 10 enlistthe
operation OF such individuals throughout the country as
from love ot philosophical inquiry and investigation
have turned their attention to this highly interesting sub
iact Much curious and valuable material has already
been collected and when the sources OF inquiry shall
have been exhausted the department will be IN posses
sion OF large amount OF information valuable IN itself
and Of singular interest to all who have been or hereaf
may be- led TO study the history TO reflect upon the
destiny OF the ab0rgncs oil thus continent.
Since my last annual report siXty-iour Creeks and
fity-two Chekasaws have removed and joined their
tribes as are yet east will doubtless soon follow Sixty
Mames have also removed from Indiana, and joined
that portion OF the tribe which emgrated last year.
The emigration OF the Choctaws remaining east OF the
Mississippi has been very limited principally IN conse-
quence of their beng aerse to removal during the sum
mer months-only hundred and eighteen have been
been thrown open to all persons of proper character
disposed 70 engaged in il, arrangements have been con-
certed for large emigration this fall and winter; which,
from the latest intelligence received il IS hoped will in
ciude nearly il not quite, all now east OF the Msslssp-
pr There is thus prospect Of successfully terminating
h tedious and VeXatous undertaking, IN which large
Of money has already been expended and which
the government voluntarily assumed at the urgent re-
quest Of the States IN which the Indians renamed, espe
c'ay Of Mississippi where the most of them were, and
of which, by her laws, they were citizens so long
they chose TO continue there All other means and exer-
tons compatible with the rights and interests of the In
dams, and with the duty and obligations Of the govern
towards them, having been tried without any
mensuae satisfactory degree of success the present
effort should, my judgment, be regarded as the final
one; and If it fail the government should be consld-
cred absolved from all further obligation IN the
matter. Every proper indncement will have been held
out TO influence them to emnye the government cannot
compel them TO 90; and II they shall still persist IN
naming they have been encouraged TO do by por-
ton Of the whites residing in those States, they should
not be further harassed but be left to the quiet enjoy
ment Of their rights and privileges IA cIuzens copy
of the instructions under which the present arrangements
progress, are hereto appended marked A. b. U and
ID.
Within the past year the Pottawatomes, who have
heretofore been separatedthe larger portion being
Iowa and the others the Usage iverhave completed
their removal 10 their country the kanzas river,
between the Deiawares and Shawnees, where they are
now comfortably settled Thus happily reunited, not
and free from those adverse influences arising out OF
a contact with white population, TO which those
that under the measures and influences which may
now be layoraby brought to bear upon them for
the purpose, they Will enter upon course of i'm
provement which, IN few years. will result IN at least
their comparatiye civilization Much credit il due TO
them Only Tor their prompt sefremoyaI, but for the
peacea5le and orderly manner in which conduct
ed II a new feature IN our Indian system, TO
entire tribe of Indians quietly organize and leave their
old homes and peacefully, and without disorder OF any
Kind remove themselves 10 new country, nearly two
hundred miles distant from most OF them, in conformity
with stipulation to that effect a treaty which they
had maize with the government; and hearing their
expenses out df funds set apart for that purpose The
kanZas Indians deserve equal credit having, since my
last annual report IN the same communicable manner, re-
moved themselves from their old country the Kanzas
river, TO their new and to them better location the
neadwdteTs of the Neosho, where they are now well
settled, and already asking for schools and other
means OF improving their condition and circumstances.
The experiment in the OF the Wnnebagoes has
also been Successful, although their emigration from
Iowa to Their new country on The upper Mississippi,
attended with some delay and difficulty; caused,
however, by the unauthorized interference OF interested
white persons, and OF portion OF the sioux that were
DESTROYS have Them stop and remain in their country
Under the operation OF improper influences thus brought
to bear upon them, portion OF the nbe after moving
some distance the route, scattered IN various direc
tons; the most OF them going over TO the Missouri nver
and the MenomoHee country near Green Bay, IN Wis
consin The others safely reached their new country
which is admirably suited to them much OF beng well
adapted to agricultural purposes and TO considerable
extent inlerspersed with lakes and streams Astounding
u tn fish and wild rice Since their arrival most Of those
the rest viii do, ia order TO share IN the large an
nues due to the tribe money goods, and provisions.
The removal OF ihis Tribe and OF the Poiiawaomes
has entirely freed Iowa Of her Indian population
which occupied some OF the best and most desirable
lands in the State, which will be rapidly settled
by our enterprsing and industrious citizens Indeed
80 sweeping IS the tide Of emigration in that quarter
that il Is already beginning 10 break the northern
BOUNDARY the State towards the rich and fertile lands
on aud south OF the Minnesota 81. Peters river
which are cWned by the Sioux Indians, and which
il important acquire AT early PERIOD practica
bic There is probably nowhere within limits
desirable section OF country than this, whether Tor
soil or climate and i opened to hardy and enter
prsing pioneers, would become dcnsely settled
with a prosperous and thriving white population. To
The Sioux II ia of no whatever the game has al
most all been destroyed and from eir present character
aud habits, which have already been described they
ranno. be induced 10 abandon The chase and their
ike propenses, and, 10 any profitable extent resort 10
any other species OF labor Being very
and daring disposition, Il - necessary 70
keep considerable space between them and our expand
ing population, IN order TO prevent difficulties, which
might lead to hostiiies and 5oOished For these and
1 her reasons that might be mentioned sound policy
would seem dictate thai effort should be made at
early day purchase this country OF the Sioux 70 de-
fray the expenses of which, appropriation Of about
five Thousand dollars vii probably be necessary.
Wisconsin, ike Iowa, may also soon be relieved from
the Indian population within her limits The Brother
towns made citizens by an act OF March 3, $50
and the Stockbr1ges BY of March 3, 1913 which,
however modified By the act OF August g. sl8 pro-
vding for the return OF such 50 desired 20 their org
nal position as Indians, and for division OF the lands
Of the band between the latter and those who prefer
naming citizens The difficulties which prevented the
execution OF the latter fully stated in my report
o ast year. and have not since been removed DO
they likely be. Under these circumstances, and
As The position Of these people Is very unhappy one,