The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-07

OEPARTMEsT OF THE IsrEaIoR,
Office of Indian AlIairs Nnv o


4 - #tt .atasss toies ------i ls uofsfd eHi f8.r
OEPARTMEnr. OF THE IsrEaIoR, s,s,,
Office Of Indian Affairs, Nov. ~. 1850
SlR: Before proceeding to submit for your considers
ton, general view of Indian aft. .rs and relation
daIug the last twelve months would respectfully refe
10 The accompanying reports OF the superintendent.
agents ana missona les IN The Indian country for nor
particular lniormaton reatlon 10 local operations an
ihe condition Ct the various tribes than can be tly iu
bodied ~ a report OF this description
.@ Among the less remote liibes with which we hay
liked and defined relations, and which. TO greater
less extent. have felt the cont olng and meliorang ef
cts OF The policy and measures OF the government 70
preserving peace among them and improving their condi
ton an unusual degree ol oner aud quietnde has pre-
vailed. Is gratifying to ktow thai anongs this class
comprising large portion Of the red race within on
widely h-sxenied bor efs there probably have never du
rug The same period Of lime, been few occurrences
painful nature. All have been peaceful towards ou
citizens; while, with the exception OF the Sioux an,
Chippewas, they have preserved state o peace ant
harmony among themselves These two tribes ar,
hereditary enemies and scarcely year passes withou
OF bloody strife between them From their re-
noleness and scattered conditions il is difficult TO excr
else AM effective restraint over hem while their pIox
unity each other affords them frequent opporiunitie.
fof ipdulgng their vengenl and viadictve feelings
Each tribe 10 be constantly the watch for oc
caslons 70 attack weaker parties OF the other when
lnd'scrininate massacre OF men, woneD and children
the lamentabe result During the last spring, inu-
lual aggressons aggravated character threatened
superintendent Governor Ramsey aided and assisted by
the commanding officer al Fort Smelling, promptly inter
posed. and by timely and judicions efforts, prevented
Such occurrences are not only revolving to humanity,
but they foster that Unsuitable passion for hch, In
continuation with love OF The chase, the prominent
Characteristic feature OF wilder tribes and presents
formidable obstacle in the way Of their civilization and
improvement We know not yet to what extent these
important objects may be accomplished but the present
and improving condition oil of our semi civilized
bes affords ample encouragement for further and more
extended efot Experience, however, has
shown that there but of policy by which the
great work Of regeneratng the Indian race may be eff
ected lisaFaH VIII -,9'sh ssig sata6 t%7f 4
In the application Of this policy to our wilder tribes il
Ddspensaby necessary that they be placed in positions
where they can be controlled, and finally compelled by
necessity 10 resort to agricu ural labor or sarye
Considering as the uniuored Indian does, that labor is
degradation, and that there nothing worthy of his an
hion but prowess 10 war; success in the chase and eo
quenee ~ council u Is only under such circumstances
that his naughty pride can be subdued and his wild en-
Nges trained to the more ennobng pursuits of civilized
life There should be assigned TO each tribe for per.
manent heme, county adapted agriculture, of lmi-
led extent and welldefned boundaries; within which
all with occasional exceptions, should be compelled con-
sanlly 10 remain until such time their general i'm
povement and good conduct may supersede the neces-
st OF such restrictions. In the time, the govern
menl should cause them to he supplied with stock
agricultural implements, and useful materials for cloth
ing encourages and assist them the erection of COM
oable dwellings, and secure 10 them the means and
facilities OF education, intellectual moral and religious
The application OF their funds to such purposes
would be Tar better Tor Them than the present system o
paying their annues IN money, which does substantial
good to but few, while 10 the great majority only fur.
mshes The means and incentive TO vicious and depravng
indulgence, terminating in desitution and misery and
TOO ieqnenty in premature death. -Ir
Theume is at hand for the practical application of
The iorgolng views 10 the Sioux and Chppewas as well
:, . some Of The more northern Tribes on the borders Of
hon for negotiations with the Sioux ioI portion OF their
lands which should, far practicable. be conducted
on The principles laid down in the instructions given TO
The commissioners appointed for that purpose last year.
and which communicated with the annual report oil
my predecessor Those instructions contemplated the pur
chase OF large Of their territory and their concen
aton within narrower limits upon lands remote from the
white settlements and the Chippewas-oojects OF prl-
mary importance, in view OF the general policy already
stated. tH .g.@
Since the treaties OF 1897 and Is42 with the Chippewa.
consdersble portion OF those Indians have continued
BY suerance, 10 reside the ceded lands east OF The
Mississippi river, III Wisconsin and Minnesota, where
hey have for Years been brought into injurious
with rapid dyanciDg and increasing popu
aton in that quarter. Having ample facilities ior pro-
curing ardent spiriis, they have become much injured
and corrupted by unfesirained indulgence IN the OF
that accursed element OF evil To remedy this unoru-
state Of ihiags IL was determined, al an early pc
Rod OF the present year. 10 have these Indians removed
norihward to the country belonging TO their tribe Meas
for this purpose accordingly adopted but IN
OF the very late period at which The afpIo
pIaion requisite 10 meet the necessary expenses was
made, only small number have as yet been removed.
Their entire removal, however, will not sufficiently re-
heve our citizens from annoyance by them as they will
Tor time have the disposuon and be near enough
10 return with facility 10 their old haunts and hunting
grounds Nor will The situation OF the Chippewas.
generally then be such as their we'll being requires
They own a vast extent OF territory on each side OF
the Mississippi, over which they viii be scattered.
following the chase and induging ~ their yagrani
habits, until the wild products OF the country, on
which they depend for subsistence, are exhausted
and they are brought state oil deshtuton and want
Efforts should therefore be made, al as early penod
practicable, concentrate them within proper limits
where, with some additional means beyond those already
provided effective arrangements could be made TO intro
dsce among them system Of education, and the pac.
ice OF agriculture and the simpler mechanic arts The
best portion OF their country for this purpose IS west o
The mississippi river but II is not owned BY the whole
Tribe in common-a considerable part OF II being the ex
easye property OF particular bands, who are not parties
material and from the United States This circumstance
NO, only exces dissatisfaction with the government, but
oduces much jealousy and bad feeling towards the res
Of he tribe, which may hereafter lead TO serious dim.
Guilty; and the game which they mainly depend foi
The OF living must fail them, the government
om starvation. wise forecast and the dictates OF be
nevolent policy alike suggest that timely measures be
taken 10 avert 80 disastrous iesu This may easily
be done, and al moderate expense compared with the
importance Of the objects 10 be accomplished. ~ ia5
In order 10 enable the department 10 carry out these
views in reference the whole Chippewa tribe, respect
fully recommend that Congress be asked for appfo.
pation At the ensuing session 10 deiray the expense
Of negotiating joint treaty with the different bands fo
the purpose o acquiring much OF their country The
side OF the Mississippi as we may require Tor long
time 10 come to, provide that the whole OF ihe
remaining iands together with their present and uiur,
eans shall be the common property OF The whole Tribe
90 that all will be placed upon equal footng anc
that az large proportion OF their funds as pracncab
shall be sci apart and applied in such manner as vii
secure their comfort, and most rapidly advance them
civilization and prosperity With such arrangements TO
This ,r,h. and ~. aaon, nm nj like policv towards ths