The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-05-23

: Sir, this step should have been taken long
= before this period of our history. II
, there had been presented to Congress
once IN ten years, statement of tho
actua, number Of the Indians, showing
diminutien Of twenty or thirty thousand
at each interval, some inquiry would
have been instituted as to the cause of
this distressing fatality, and remedy,
to certain extent at least, applied 1t
is my design at an early day to take up
some of the time Of the House in the
discussion Of this subject, when think
| shall be able to demonstrate concla-
sively, that the wretched and forlorn
condition of the remaining tribes is to
be ascribed entirely to the unsympathiz-
ing and cruel policy Of the Government
towards them, and to no other cause.
Sir, during this session we have heard
these Halls ring with eloquen. denunci-
ations of the oppressor-with express
sions Of sympathy for the down-trodden
millions Of other lands; while gentle-
men seem not to be aware that there ex-
lists under the Government Of this Re-
public, species of grinding and intole-
rabie oppression, of which the Indian
tribes are the victims, compared with
which, the worst form Of human bondage
row existing in any Christian State,
may be regarded as a comfort and g
blessing.
Mr.. Chairman, am aware that there
is clause in the Constitution which is
construed by some, implicitly to prohibit
an enumeration by the General Govern
ment of the Indians not taxed. But, sir,
1t appears to me, that no such construc-
tion Is warranted by that clause. 1t
only forhids a representation to be based
upon such an enumeration Of untaxed
persons. 1t is evident that no benefi-
ciai action can be taken by Congress,
with reference to the condition of tho
Indians, without such information Of
their number and physical condition as
Is sought by the amendment which pro-
pose to offer. Sir, i, is high time that
Congress should do its duty in this mat
ter; and when it is ascertained by off,
cial statements, tia the Indians within
our limits are diminishing in number at
the rate Of two, three OF four thousand
a year, inquiry will be quickened into
the cause of this awful mortality. ] re-
peat that it is ainly asrribable to the
defective policy of the Government, and
the utter want Of syinpathy manifested
in its intercourse with the Indians.
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Arkansas, (Mr. S.
yielding for explanation,) stated that
orders had been issued from the depart
ment to the several Indian agents TO ob-
tain the information which the gentle
man wished by his amendment, and that
the Government would be put to unne-
cessary expense in consequence, as all
the information desired had already been
collected and was contained ig book
which was published,
Mr.. SIBLEY, Mr.. Chairman, I have
heard the suggestions of my honorable
friend, the chairman of Indian Affairs,
and am thankful for the information;
but, sir, can tell him and this House,
that the measures he states to be 10 pro-
gress for ascertaining the actual num-
Der Of Indians in the limits OF the United
States, will be as Intellectual US such
trials have ever been. Why, sir, the
endeavor of the department 10 procure
these facts through their agents has al
ways failed. as such attempts through
the some channel will always fail.
speak from personal knowledge, when /
assert that even the returns Of the num-
ber Of the bands, which receive annui-
ties from the Government, are utterly
incorrect. The reason why an Indian
agent cannot get at the facts in such
case is, because Il is the interest Of the
Indians to practice deceit upon him, by
representing the number in Il family as
far greater than it really is, in order to
secure large proportionate share of
their annuities, which are nov paid per
capita, as required by law. But, sir.
VINE your marshal or his assistant goes
among these bands, he can ascertain
their tue condition and their numbers,
simply because there is no object TO be
gained in deceiving him. ! have no
wish to 90 further into this subject at
present, especially as l have expressed
my intention TO discuss it fully at future
day, hen pledge myself to this House
and TO the country satisfactorily to main
in connection with this subject.
have bat word more to say with
regard to another amendment, ] propose
to offer TO this bill, which is, TO stlike
on. the provision which leaves it discre-
tionary with the Secretary oil the lnte-
riOr to cause TO be taken any part or all
the statistics Of the territories, except
those of population. Sir, do not see
the Propriety of placing the people of
the territories on a different basis in this
respect from those of the States. Il
makes distinction between them which
is highly invidious and objectionable
The wealth and productions of terri-
tory constitute, so far as they go, as
much an element of the national great
ness as do those Of the States; and tho
people Of the former are just as much
interested in having some standard where
by to note their progressive improve
ment in these respects as are those Of