The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-07
THE REP BLIC.
REPORT OF THE co mIIssIONER OF
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
DEPARTMENT or THE INTERIOR,
OFFICE OF ISpIAs AFFAIRS, NOV "a 100

gIR: Before proceeding TO submit ior your con
nj }eration a general view OF our indian AHalrs
81 reI,tions Turing the last twelve months,
Nsould respectfully refer 10 the accompanying re-
ports of the superintendents, agents and mission
aries in the Indian country, ior more parucuaf
Information in relation 10 local operations, and the
condition of the various tribes, than can be hty
embodied in report OF this description.
Among the lees remote tribes with which we have
Fl xed and defined relations, and which, TO greater
or less extent have felt the controlling and meo-
rating effects of the policy and measures OF the Gov
eminent for preserving peace among theih ana iiA
proving their condition. an unusual degree OF oroer
and quietude has prevailed. 1t IL gratifying to
know that amongst this class, comprising large
portion of the red race within our widely extended
borders, there probably has never, during the same
period Of time been 30 few occurrences of paniui
nature All have been peaceful towards our clti-
zens; while, with the exception of the Sioux and
Chippewas they have preserved a state oil peace
and harmony among themselves. These two tribes
are hereditary enemies, and scarcely year passes
without Of bloody strife between them. From
their remoteness and scattered condition 1t Ia dfii
cult 10 exercise any effective restraint over them,
while their proximity TO each other affords them
frequent opportunities for INDUCING their veogeiui
and vindictvc feelings Each tribe seems to be
constantly on the watch for occasions to attack
weaker parties of the other, when an lndiscrlmin'
ate massacre OF men, women, ana chlldren IL 'he
lamcntable result. During the last spring. mutual
aggrcssons OF an aggravated character, threatened
IL involve these tribes in a general war; but the
acting superintendent, Governor Ramsey, aided
and assisted by the commanding otlcer at Fort
Smelling, promptly interposed, and, by timely anu
iudicious efforts, prevented such catastrophe
Such occurrences are not only revolving to hu
manity, but they foster that Unsuitable passion
for war, which, in combination with love oil
the chase, is the prominent characteristic lea
ture Of our wilder tribes and presents iorm-
dable obstacle in the way OF their civilization
and improvement. We know not yet to what ex
tent these important objects may be accomplished;
but the present and improving condition of some
of our semi civilized tribes affords ample encour-
agement for further and more extended effort Elk
perience, however, has conclusively shown that
there is but of policy by which the great
work Of regcnerating the Indian race may be eff
fected.
III application of this policy 10 wilder
triber, 1t Is indispensably necessary that they b.,
placed in positions where they be controlled,
and finally compelled, by stern necessity, to resort
10 agricultural labor starve. Considering, the
untutored Indian does, that labor is degradation
and that there is nothing worthy of his ambition
but prowcss in war, success in the chase and elo
quence in council, it is only under such circum-
stances that his naughty pride can be .ubdued, and
bis wild energies trained to the more ennobling
pursuits OF civilized life There should be ASST gned
TO each tribe, Tor permanent home, country
adapted to agriculture. OF limited extent and well
defined boundaries; within which all, with ocra
sional exceptions, should be compelled constantly
to remain until such time as their general improve
ment and good conduct may supersede the ncces
sity of such restrictions In the time the
Government should cause them to be supplied with
stock, agricultural implements, and useful mate
rials for clothng encourage and assist them in the
erection Of comfortable dwellings, and secure 10
them the means and facilities of education, intel
lectual moral. and religious. The application OF
their own funds to such purposes would be far bet
ter for them than the present system of paying
their annuites in money, which does substantial
good to but few, while to the great majority il only
furnishes the means and Incentive to vicious and
depraving indulgence, terminating in restitution
and misery, and too frequently in premature death.
Of the foregoing views to the Sioux and Chippewas
well as OF the more northern Tribes Oh
the borders OF Missouri and Iowa. Congress has
made an appropriation Tor negotiations with tho
Sioux for position of their lands which should, as
far practicable, be conducted the principle
laid down in the instructions given to the commits
.ioncrs appointed for that purpose Last year, and
which were communicated with the annual report
Of my predecessor. Those instructions contcm
plated the purchase OF large extent of their terri
tory, and their concentration within narrower
limits upon lands remote from the white setleInent-
and the Chippewa; objects of primary Importance
IN view of the general policy already stated.
Since the treaties OF 1887 and 1872, with the Chin
pewas, a considerable portion Of those Indians hav,
continued, by suferance, TO reside the cedet
lands east OF the Mississippi river in Wisconsin
and Minnesota, where they have for some year,
been brought into in urious contact with rapid
~ advancing and increasing population in thai
quarter. Having ample facilities for procuring r
cent spirits, they have become much injured and
corrupted by unrestrained indulgence in the use oil
that accursed element OF evil. To remedy this IN
fortunate state OF things, il determined at an
early period Of the present year, 70 have these In.
dians removed northward, 10 the country belong
ing 10 their tribe. Measures for this purpose were
accordingly adopted; but, in consequence Of the
very late period at which the appropriation requi-
cite TO meet the necessary expenses made, only
a small number have as yet teen removed. Their
entire removal, however, will not sufficiently re.
heye our citizens from annoyance by them, as they
will for some time have the disposition, and be neal
enough, 10 return with facility 10 their old haunt,
and hunting grounds. Nor will the situation Of
the Cbppevas generally then be such as their
we'll being rcquires. They own vast extent OF
territory on each side ofthc Mississippi over " bic
they will be scattered following the chase aud in
dugng In their vagrant habits, until the wild pro-
ducts Of the country, on which they depend for a
subsistence, are exhausted, and they are brought
TO a state Of destituton and want. Efforts should
therefore be made, at early a period as prac-
ticable, 20 concentrate them within proper linn
Its, where, with some additional means beyond
those already provided, effective arrangements
could be made 90 introduce among them a sys
ten Of education, and the practice Of agriculture
and the simpler mechanic arts. The best portion
OF their country for this purpose IL west Of the Mis-
sssippi river but II IL owned by the whole tribe
in commOn-a considerable part OF ID being The ex-
elusive property Of particular bands, who arc not
parties any Of our treaties, aud receive no anntn-
ues or other material aid from the United Statcs.
This circumstance not only ercites dissatisfaction
with the Government, but produces much Jealousy
and bad feeling towards the rest Of the tribe which
may hereafter lead 70 scrious diculty and a. the
game on which they mainly depend iOr the mcans
oil living must coon fail them the Government will
be under the necessity Of interpreting g. save them
from starvation. wise forecast aud the dictates
Of benevolent policy, alike suggest that timely
measures be taken - avert disastrous a result.
This may easily be done, and at moderate cx
pence, compared with the importance Of the objects
20 be accomplished.
Ia order TO enable the Department 10 carry out
these views in reference 20 the whole Chippewa
tribe, repeatedly recommend that Congress be
asked for appropriation at the ensuing session
% defray the expense Of negotiating Joint treaty
with the different bands, for the purpose Of acquir-
ing much Of their country on tho east eide OF tho
Mississippi as We may require for a long time TO
come; to provide that the whole Of their remaining
lands, together with their present and future means
shall be the common property OF the whole tribe, 20
that all will be placed upon equal footing; and
that ~ large proportion Of their funds practi-
cable shall be set apart and applied in such a man
ner will secure their comfort and rnost rapidly
advance them in civilization ana prosperity With
such arrangements for this tribe and the sdoption
OF a like pulley towards the Wnneba gocs nov 10.
Gated in their vicinity the side Of the Mia
stssIppi. and the Menomouies, TO be removed
there the whole face Of our Indian relations in tina
quarter would in a few years present entire and
gratifying change. We should witness IL
this our northern colony Of Indians those evidence
OF general improvement now becoming clearly