The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-07

| and wants may soon be expected from the agent re-
Gently sent among them therefore refrain Tor
| the present from making any recommendation In
regard to them. except that our trade and Inter
| course laws be extended over them,
| Our Indian relations in Texas remain in the awk-
ward and EMBARRASSING state set forth In the annual
reports from this office for the last five years and
particularly in that Of my immediate predecessor.
| The laws providing for the regulation OF trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes are not IN force
| in Texas, nor can they, apprehend, be extended
| there without the consent OF that State Thus,
while an unfortunate state OF things exists 10 Texas
similar to that in New Mexico, and requiring, in
general, the same remedial measures, we have not
the power To put them in full and complete opera
| ton. The Constitution, II Is true, gives to Con
gress the power to regulate commerce with the In
dian tribes; but that IT can be rightiuy exercised
IN such manner as to punish the citizens OF that
state for trespassing lands occupied by the In
dans, or trading with them unless licensed by the
Government, is proposition that may well be con-
troverted What is required in regard TO the In
dams in Texas is full and absolute authority TO
sign to them suitable country, remote from the
white population, for their exclusive occupancy
and use, where we can make our own arrangements
Tor regulating trade and intercourse WIN tneHl,
and adopt other for their gradual civlll-.
cation and improvement. With this view, re-
spectiully suggest that n commissioner or commits
sioner5 be appointed to confer with the proper au-
thorites of Texas this important subject, for the
purpose OF efiecting the conventional arrangements
| indispensable to a satisfactory adjustment Of our
Indian affairs in that State.
II recommended alone, by the consideration that 1t
| would probably result in cur!ailing the immense
and comparatively useless expense to which the
Government is now subjected in maintaining the
large military force deemed necessary for the pro-
lection and defence of the citizens ofTexas
The arrangements adopted last year for the re-
moval of the Seminole Indians in Florida to the
country occupied by their brethren west OF the
Mississippi failed Of entire success only portion
were removed, and number still remain within
the district temporarily assigned to them on the
gulf side of the peninsula. These continue as here
tofore, in charge of the military, and this depart
ment has no control or jurisdiction over them.
Notwithstanding the efforts that have been made,
and the heavy expense incurred, during the last
six years to effect the removal of the Choctaws re-
naming in Mississippi, considerable number still
continue indisposed TO mi CRATE TO the country pro-
vided for the tribe west of the State of Arkansas.
Anxiety is felt that the State of Mississippi shall be
speedily relieved Of this incumbrance, and the In
dians transferred to more comfortable homes among
their brethren, where they would be comparatively
prosperous and happy. In view OF past results, 1t
is evident that more efficient measures are neces
sary to accomplish their removal, These it is
hoped, may be devised and put into successful ope-
ration at an early day.
Conccding the general wisdom and business of
the policy adopted in lS47, of paying the annuities
TO the Indians on the per capita principle, In my
judgment there material objections to the man
ner in which it has been practically applied. The
regulation on this subject provides that portion OF
the annuities may be set apart by the Indians for
national and charitable purposes. These purposes,
however, have never been particularly defined
rules are not prescribed for determining the
amounts to be provided for them, have mea-
sures been taken TO encourage the Indians to make
SO wise and beneficial disposition of their funds.
They naturally desire to receive individually the
full amount of their respective shares, and, consc-
quentiy, their entire annuities have been distri-
buted equally among them. However fair and
equitable this mode OF payment may appear, it ia
not altogether just to the chiefs, nor consistent
with sound policy. 1t is through tho medium OF
the chiefs that the Government holds intercourse
and dealings with the tribes in the transaction oil
their more Important business; and il is not I'M
reasonable that they should expect more from the
Government than the common Indians receive, in
consideration OF their station and the services they
? perform. But, according to the present mode OF
paying their annutcs, the Indians are all and alike
placed on a common level and, no discrimina-
ton Is made in iayor OF the Chiefs their influence
is not only diminished, but feeling of contempt
for governmental authority in general is extensive
| ly inspired. Evils of ordinary magnitude are
i thus produced, which, il is believed may be rem
edied by proper exercise of the discretionary
power over this subject vested ia the President and
the Secretary Of the Interior.
The greatest difficulty which the Government
and individuals have to contend with, IN their CT
iorts to amellorate the condition of Indians il
their strong and uncomfortable appetite for ardent
spirits, and the facility with which they can st
be procured, notwithstanding the strngency oil
our laws. and the strenuous efforts Of the agents
and military 10 prevent its introduction among
them. Ii is depiorable fact, that there are many
persons engaged in the villanous business oil
r smuggling liquor into the Indian country, while
others, less daring but equally depraved are sta
toned near the borders for the purpose OF carrying
on an unholy traffic with them. The States with.
, in which these nscreants take refuge thould be
invoked to put an cflectual stop 10 their abomna-
tons.
The work Of collecting and digestng statistical
and other information, illustrative OF the history
condition, and uture prospects OF the Indian tribes
has been unremittngly prosecuted, and the results
IL is believed, will not only be of much general in
10 xffal
administration Of our Indian affairs. The frs
part Of these Investigations Is in press and will be
laid before Congress at an carly period OF the en-
suing session.
A striking disparity exists between The inancia
estimates of this Office, submitted to Congress a.
the commencement Of the last session, and those
prepared for submission at the commencement o
tho next. The latter exceed the former by very
large amount; and, to prevent misconception,
brief explanation may be necessary.
Estimates are divided into two classes, technically
called regular and special. The frat class relates
exclusively 20 objects Of fixed aud permanent char
actcr; and 20 appropriations therefor, TO be OK
pended within the ensuing fiscal year the latter
to temporary and miscellaneous objects, and C
appropriations therefor, to be expended within tho
current well az the hscal year. Heretofore, IN,
practice has been 10 submit the regular estimate
alone. at the opening Of Congress, and the spseia
estimates from time to time during the progress o.
the session But in preparing the estimates for th,
present year, care has been taken, pursuant {,
your instructions, 10 make them full and com
prehensive as TO embrace both classes in one gene
raj estimate, thereby far practicable, placing
before Congress az single view, and at the com
mencemcnt of the session, every object Of whateve
character, for which an appropriation may be re
quircd Hence, the estimates Of the present year
thus aggregated and combined exceed the regulai
estimates OF the last > il3 OS3 40 and yet, they
fall short Of the actual appropriations at the reccn
session on Indian nccountsomo q - 900; while the
regular estimates Of last year, exceed the CORE
spending class In the present general estimate
: 800, the difference being oOcasiencd by the
omission Of sundry items aud the reduction o
others.
Great care has also been taken 10 make the ex
plsnatory remarks accompanying the estimates
cOnformsble 30 law. They succinctly bat clea RI
exhibit the grounds on which the severa items are
respectively founded and, although the aggregate
IL large, IL cannot, m my judgment, be materially
diminished without dotritnent TO the public service
The present force Of this Office is lees than in for
MGR years, and inadequate TO the prompt discharge
ofits greatly augmented a. nd Increasing duties. Al
additional number Of clerks, and thorough re
organization of the Department are indispensablJ
necessary. But as full and satisfactory esposi
ton Of the measures required in this connexior
would involve elaborate detail they will form ih'
subject Of special communication.
Respectfully submitted. l.. LEA, Com'r.