The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-01


by the activity OF the troops at Fort Smelling.
When they shall have become more accustomed to
| their new position and circumstances they will
no doubt, be satisfied, and commence to improve,
which is already the case with considerable por-
ton OF them. Only about two-thirds of the tribe
removed 10 their new countryside remainder hav-
ing broke away about the time of starting, on
the route, and fied-some into Wisconsin, and the
others into Iowa. The latter were Joined by some
renegade Sacs and Foxes and Pottawatomies,
which tribes formerly resided in Iowa, and have
! been concerned with them in committing depreda-
| tons upon our frontier citizens. As the
fact became known, military force, upon the APP
plication of this Department was sent TO dispense
and drive them to their proper homes; and efforts
Will be made TO induce or compel the Winnebagoes
that fled to Wisconsin also to loin their brethren
and il is hoped that, within the next year, all will
be permanently brought together under comforta-
BILE and favorable circumstances in their new coun-
! try.
The Cheroxees have just cause of complaint at
the continued delay in concluding and carrying
out the settlement with them required by the treaty
OF 1896 In consideration of the circumstances un-
DER which that treaty was made, and the important
objects sought and accomplished by it, in allaying
the feuds and difficulties which had for some years
deeply afflicted those Indians, and in providing
for the arrangement OF various important matters
in controversy between them and the Government,
and they having generally observed their obIga-
tons under it in good faith liberal spirit should
be eyinced towards them, and the settlement made
and the amount due to them paid over, with as
ject presented for the consideration and final
action OF Congress, in report from this Office on
the 10th of May, lS4S.
considerable amount will be due to that portion
OF the Cherokees, known the old original set
tiers west of the Mississippi, who, as separate and
distinct community, have incurred liabilities dwarf
GUS kinds, and, among others, for valuable and
efficient services, rendered by them in prosecuting
their claims against the Government; and which
it is well known, were greatly instrumental in
cfecting the recognition of those claims, and the
large allowances in consideration of them In the
treaty, as negotiated, provision was inserted set
ting apart portion of the sum to be awarded them
to enable them to meet such liabilities; but, for
some cause not known, it was struck out by the
Senate 50 that the whole amount is now liable
according TO the naked terms of the treaty as it
stands, to per-capita distribution Unless some
change, in this particular, be in some way author
lied, the just and honorable intentions of the In
dams themselves will be defeated, and great injus-
tice done to their creditors, which should, by all
means, be avoided
The usual exhibit of the funds held in trust for
various tribes, and the manner in which they are
invested or held together with the annual income
thereon, will be found in the accompanying state
ments and G.
The expenditures during the last fiscal year, UNI
der the various appropriations made by for
this branch OF the public service cannot be stated
until the accounts of the different superintendents
and agents shall have been finally settled by the ac-
counting officers. They WILL however, be shown
by the usual report of the appropriations and ex-
penditures, made to Congress by the Second Comp
trollcr of the Treasury.
The interesting inquiries directed by the act of
March Sd, lS47, respecting the history, and the num-
bers, and other statistics of the different tribes
tinue to be prosecuted with much vigor and ra
pdity the nature of the subject and the limited
facilities at the command of the department, will
admit. Results continue to be developed, not only
of great interest to the historian, and to all who feel
any concern for the condition and destiny of these
singular and interesting people, but of much prac
teal value to those whose duty it may hereafter be-
come to take any part in the administration of their
affairs, and national policy towards them; thus
demonstrating the wisdom of Congress in directing
n measure which had been but too long delayed
So full exposition is given of the nature and OBJ
ect of the inquiries in the annual report of last year.
and in the original memorial of the various odstin
gushed gentlemen who called the attention of Con-
gress TO the subject and the report of this office to
that body thereon, as to render it unnecessary to
enter into further particulars on this occasion.
Among the reports herewith submitted will be
found an elaborate and able one from Governor
Ramsey, ex offcio superintendent of Indian Affairs
for the Territory of Minnesota, containing an ine-
resting historical account of the Indians in that
quarter-comprising sope of our most noted and
powerful tribes-and referring to state of affairs
existing our northern boundary in the region of
the Red river of the NORTH which has heretofore
been presented to the notice of the department. but
not in so full and circumstantial a manner.
The agents of the Hudson's Bay Company, il is
represented, carry extensive traffic with the
Indians side of the line, contrary to our
laws and much to the dcrimcnt of our citizens en-.
gagged in the Indian trade in that quarter; the
former enjoy superior advantages, from being pro-
tected at different points by military force; having
no duties 10 pay on the articles of foreign manu-
facture which enter largely into that description of
trade, and from their making use, in their deal
ings, of that malgn but effective agent with the In
dams, ardent spirits the introduction of which into
the Indian country is prohibited by severe penal
enactments. In their operations, the services Of
numerous class of persons, known as Bots Burles,
half :.
of the line, extensively brought into requsi.
ton; and they are in this way, no doubt, enabled
to communicate more freely and advantageously
with our Indians, of whom those persons gene.
rally, in part, descendants and relatives. These
people are also guilty of destroying annually inn
mense quantities of buffalo and other game on our
side of the line for their purposes and those of
the company, which gives great dissatisfaction to
our Indians, and must eventually prove of serious
injury TO them by the determination, in a few
years of this their chief of subsistence. II
permitted to continue, it must long lead 10 coll
lisions and bloodshcd with our Indians. Measures
ought TO be promptly taken to put end to il and
the other evils referred to- connected with the ope
rations of the Hudson's Bay Company, along and
within our borders.
Considerable and increasing intercourse and
trade annually carried through the Indian
country by residents the British side Of the line
with our settlements on the Upper Mississippi, which
requires some governmental supervision to prevent
any infraction of the laws regulating trade and in
permitted TO enter into territory for the purpose
without written permission from some proper Of
hcer, and a reasonable guarantee for good conduct
and a due observance of our laws and regulations,
while travelling in the Indian country.
On representations from this department, mill
tary expedition was sent during the past TO
the Red river region, to inquire into all these mat.
ers, the result OF which is not yet known, il has
but recently returned, and no report has yet been
received at this office in relation TO il.
No provision having been made by Congress for
the appointment OF agents 70 reside among the In
dams of Oregon, four sub-agents last year APP
pointed for that purpose under the authority of the
fifth section Of the act of June 30th 1884, providing
''for the organization Of the Department of Indian
Affairs" 10 whom, well TO the governor and
ex ofcio superintendent Of Indian affairs for the
territory, instructions were given TO report fully in
relation TO the numbers location, character, and
habits of the Indians and all other particulars ne
cessary TO enable the Department 10 understand
what should be the nature of relations with and
TO frame some definite course Of policy TO be pur
sued towards them. The only information received
is contained in the accompanying extract from a
communication OF the 9th Of April last, from the