Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-07

fatal and rnous facility adopted only the vices Of the
i white man. and fast wasting away In few wears
they would have become extinct and like other once numer.
Gus and powerful tribes, their would have been pre-
served only IN the records Of history. Removed from this
unfortunate, and to them unnatural position placed where
they have the and Of homes
where they are in great measure free from those influences
arising out OF close contact with white population in
furious and aa to them in their unutored state and where
the elements Of civilization could be steadily and sysema
cay introduced among them, they gradually increasing
10 numbers and rapidly advancing in prosperity. ].
several OF these tribes have already abandoned their org-
nal and crude forms Of Government and adopted Others
fashioned more less after the model of our own having
regularly established constitutions of republican character
ana written laws adapted their peculiar state Of affairs
proper and responsible officers carry them into
ney are adopting agricultural and mechanical pursuits
~, through the efforts Of the Government and of various
societies, having become impressed with the neces-
Of education, they making highly
among .bs % disseminate more generally its blessings
~ AUDUBON % the means furnished by Government and
oeay provided by missionary associations thev LARGE
Up, rom their own funds towards the establish
on anu support OF manual labor schools which have been
ound ehcient auxsries in importing to them KNOWLEDGE Of
letters agriculture and mechanic ars and &c hs
70 syl zatlon and christianity During the few years that
institutions OF this description have been n tho
done much towards the accomplishment az th
mad they effected nothing than to excite the desire for
instruction now existing among number Of the tribes the
they have occasoned would not have been Ia
van introduced, however, an experiment we were La
bic TO errors in regard to hem which experience alone coud
develops and after much reflection satisfied that there
deiecs 10 tne system as at present organized which must
DC lemedied IN order to its full degree of efficiency and
usefulness IN my judgment, confirmed by the experiences
OF Others the committed has been in most
OF the institutions upon too large SCALE In of
the neavy expenditures required establish and maintain
nem ney are necessarily limited in NUMBER and wide apart
as 70 Dc at an nconvenient distance from the great majority
Of those for whose benefit they Intended Hence the ad
vantage and benefits Of the schools confined almost entirely
to the neghborhoods within which they are respectively
located for the Indians distance being naturally averse
to have their children taken so far from their homes oen
happens that the full complement scholars cannot be OBJ
tanned Besides the congregation Of large numbers Indian
cnndren by aioding them more unrestricted opportunities Of
indugng IN the use Of their language seriously inter
ieres with their acquisition Of the English tongue know
ledge Of which is generally prerequisite to their cyza.
ton by diminishing the size and expense Of these nsu.
aons hey could be multiplied and extended there would be
less difficulty in obtaining the desired number Of resident pu
ps while others in the vicinity could be taught day scho
lars and the benefits Of practical education be thus more
widely dffused.
The only considerable number Of Indians who have retain
co any portion OF their original possessions and survived the
pes o. immediate contact with white population fast thick
enng around them, those remaining in the State of New
YORK. comprising mere remnant Of the and
powerful Iroquos, Six Nations After rapidly dmin-
shing for many years. they length to have reached
the lowest point in their declining fortunes Having been
placed, by The humane legislation Of the State in situation
similar to that Of our coonized tribes they present the
resting spectacle Of barbarous people in state Of rapid
transition to civilization and prosperity. striking ndca-
ton Of their progress is the important change they made
10 their civil polity Impressed with the disadvantages Of
their ancient and Irresponsible ogarchca form Of govern
men and Its tendency etard their advancement majority
succeeded in ls4s, in eecng entire revolution Hav-
ing formally assembled in convention, they adopted repub
llcan constitution and their government and affairs
well conducted, on principles similar those which
are administered There still however, individuals among
them who, from their connection with the old SYSTEM OPP
posed to the new order Of things but the object Of these
indictments regain their lost power rather than to pro-
mote the public good encouragement has been given
them, either by the State Of New York the General Gov
eminent.
is much to be regretted that appropriation made
at the last session Of Congress for negotiating treaties with the
long held undsputed possession Of this extensive REGION
and regarding their own they consider themselves ent
lied to compensation not only for the right Of way through
their territory but Tor the great and injurious destruction Of
game, grass and timber committed by troops and emil
grants They have hitherto been kept quiet and peaceabe
BY reiterated promises that the Government would gene
ously towards them, and considerations Of economy JUSTICE
and humanity require that these promises should be promptly
fulfilled They would doubtless, be contented with very
moderate remuneration, which should be made in goods stock
animals agricultural implements, and other useful articles
AS further measure for securing the friendship and good
conduct Of these Indians, is earnestly recommended that
delegation Of their principal and most influential men be
brought in for the purpose of visiting Of larger cities
and more deney populated portions Of country These de-
Wouu tnus pe Impressed Win an lOea OF tue great
superiority Of strength, which, being impaired to their
people, would have powerful and most sautary influence
upon them. @
Our information in regard to the Indians in Oregon and
California is extremely limited but the deficiency hoped
will shortly be supplied by the agents and commissioners pro-
ded for at the last session Of Congress- Copies Of the in
'ucons given to these officers herewith submitted, to-
yether with report from General Lane late Governor and
Acting Superintendent of Indian affairs in Oregon, containing
ne latest official information in possession Of the office respect
the Indians in that far distant REGION and received too late
o accompany the annual report of last year.
After the three agents authorized by Congress Tor the In
'ans in California appointed it was found that no aP-
preparation had been made for their salaries and the necessary
expenses Of their agencies Their functions agents were
therefore suspended but there an appropriation Tor
negotiating treaties with the Indians in that State they were
constituted commissioners for that purpose lney VIII mus
lave opportunity of acquiring information useiu 70 hen
agents. and be the spot to enter upon their duties IN
hat capacity when the requisite appropriations snail have
,een made. I sl 5g
Commissioners have also been appointed for the highly inn
,or,ant purpose Of negotiating treaties with the various In
sn tribes adjacent the line between the United States and
Mexico. They expected to accompany the boundary
commission, and charged with the duty Of collecting all
uch statistical and other information concerning those In
ans may aid the Department in adopting the proper poll
and for their government and to carry out IN
rood faith the spuaons Of treaty with the Next
IAN republic.
The ruinous condition Of Indian affairs in New Mexico
demands the immediate attention of Congress- In section
j, the country prompt and efficient for restrain
ng the Indians mperously required than in this Terri
ory where extraordinary state Of things exists which, SO
ong as continues, will be reproach to the Government
There are over thirty thousand Indians within its limits,
H.