The New York herald., 1850-12-09

- sANs~~>SS $50 ~~~~~~-
respecting our Indian affairs In this territory, anc
especially in relation 10 the agency and organiza
tion required for their proper management re-
as) rom the Hon. II. NJ Smith. and the reports
ffom agent Calhoun.
We know but little Of the Indians in Utah beyond
the fact that they generally peacesble in their
dis position, and easily controlled; but further and
full information as to their peculiar condition and
wants may be expected nom the agent recently
st MT among them therefore refrain for the pre-
sent from making any recommendation in regard
to them except that trade and intercourse 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 hive years, and
particularly in that Of my immediate predecessor
The laws providing for the regulation of trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes Rot in force
in Texas, nor can they, aPpre hend, be extended
there without the consent OF that State. Thus,
while unfortunate state of things exists in Texas
eimilar to that in New Mexico, and requiring, in
general, the same remedial measures, we have
not the power to put them In full and CON-
pete operation. The constitution, II is true, gives
to Congress the power to regulate commerce with
the Indian tribes but that il can be rgh.fully ex-
ercised in such manner to punish the citizens of
that State for trespassng on lands occupied by the
Indians, or trading with them unless licensed by
the government, is a proposition that may we'll be
controverted What is required in regard to the
Indians in Texas, is full aud absolute authority to
assign to them suitable country, remote from the
white population, for their exclusive occupancy aud
use, where we can make our own arrangements
for regulating trade and intercourse with them, and
adopt other measures for their gradual civilization
and improvement. With this view, respectfully
suggest that commissioner or commissioners be
appointed to confer with the proper authorities of
Texas this important subject for the purpose Of
ee citing the onventional arrangements indispensa
bic to satisactory adjustment Of our Indian affairs
in that State.
This me asure, submit, would be fully justified,
If recommended alone, by the consideration that it
would probably result in curtailing the immense
and comparatively useless expense to which the
government is now subjected, in maintaining the
large military force deemed necessary for the pro-
tection and defence Of the citizens of Texas.
The arrangements adopted last year for the re-
moval Of the Seminole Indians in Florida to the
country occurred 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
partment has no control or Jurisdiction over them
Notwithstanding the efforts that have been
made and the heavy expense incurred during the
removal of the Choctaws remaining in Mississippi; ;
a considerable number still remain indisposed to
migrate to the country provided for the tribe west of
the State Of Arkansas Anxiety is felt that the State
Of Mississippi shall be speedily relieved Of this in
cumbrance, and the Indians transferred to more COM
Portable homes among their brethren, where they
would be comparatively prosperous and happy. In
view OF past results II is evident that more ciC.ent
measures are necessary to accomplish their reno
val. These, Il is hoped, may be devised and put
into succe seful operation at an early day.
Conceding the general wisdom and justice Of the
policy adopted in lS45, of paying the aanuities o
the Indians Oh the per capita principle, IN my judg-
meHt there are material objections 10 the manner
in which il has been practically applied The re-
gulation on this subject provides that portisn of
the aAities may be set apart by the Indians for
naticSal and charitable purposes. These purposes,
hoysever, have never been particularly defined !;
trntl
~ be provided for them, no! have measures
been taken to encourage the Indians 10 make 30
wise and beneficial disposition OF their fn..,ds
They naturally desire to receive ind%"idually the
full amount OF their respective snares and, conse-
quenty, their entro annuies have been distributed
equally among them. However fair and equit.
able this mode OF payment may appear, II is
not altogether just to the chiefs, nor consist.
ent with sound policy. 1t is through tbs
medium Of the chiefs that the government holds
intercourse and dealings with the tribes in the
trans facton of their more important business; and
il is not unreasonable that they should expect
more from the government than the common In
dians receive, in consideration OF their station, and
the services they perform. But, according TO the
present mode OF paying their annutes, the Indians
are all and alike placed a common level; and,
as NO determination is made in favor Of the chiefs
their influence not only diminished but feeling
OF contempt for governmental authority in general
In extensively inspired. Evils of no ordinary mag
ntude are thus produced, which, il is believed,
may be remedied by proper exercise of the dis
cretionary power over this subject vested in the
r-sicent, ana the oecre tary OF the Interior
The greatest difficulty which the government
and indiv iduals have 10 contend WITH in their ef-
forts 10 amelioraie the condition OF the Indians, Is
their strong and uncomfortable appetite for ardent
spirits, and the facility with which they can still
be procured. notwithstanding the stringency OF our
laws, and the strenuous eferts OF the agents and
military to prevent its introduction among them
It's deplorable fact, that there are many persons
engaged in TIE villainous business of smuggling
lqaor into the Indian country, while Others, less
daring, but equally depraved, are stationed near
their borders for the purpose of carrying on an un-
holy traffic with them. The States within which
these miscreants take refuge should be invoke cd
to put an efiectual stop 70 their abomnations
The work OF collecting and digesting statistical
and other information, Illustrative Of the history,
condition, and future prospects OF the Indian tribes,
has been unremttingly prosecuted, and the results,
II Is believed, will not only be of much general in
terest, but highly useful 10 the department in the
administration Of our Indian affairs. The first
part Of these Investigations is in press, and will be
laid before Congress at an early period of the
suing session
A striking disparity exists between the financial
estimates OF this office. submitted to Congress at
the commencement Of the last session, and those
prepared for submission at the commencement of
the next The latter exceed the former by very
large amount; and, TO prevent misconception,
bret explanation may be necessary.
Estimates are divided into two classes, techni-
cslly called regular and special. The first class
relates exclusively TO objects Of fixed and perma-
nent character and to appropriations therefor to be
expended within the current as well as the fiscal
year. Heretofore the practice has been to submit
the regular estimates alone at the opening of Con-
gress, and the special estimates from time TO time
during the progress Of the session But in prepar-
rnr .he estimates for the present year, care has
been taken, purssnt to your instructions, to make
them so full and compfehensi,e as 10 embrace both
classes in one general estimate, Thereby, a. far aa
practicable, placing before Congress- single view,
and at the commencement Of the session, every
object, OF whatever character, for which an appro-
priation may be required. Hence, the estimates OF
the present year, thus aggregated and combined,
exceed the regular estimates OF the last 81 49,
O33 40; and yet they fall short of the actual appro
priations at the recent session, on Indian ac-
count some $4,000, while the regular estimates
OF last year exceed the corresponding class in the
present general estimate e. 3e0 the difference be.
ing occssioned by lhe omission Of sundry items and
the reduction Of others
Great care has also been taken TO make the ex-
remarks accompanying the estimates
10 law. They succinctly but clearly
hibit the an xxh he are