Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-07

nj Mexico.
the purpose Of establishing proper relations between nem
and the Government and citizens the Unied STATES
believed that by pursuing wise ana Ucfa Pohcy towards
them which their peculiar situation Indicates and invites
thew will in few years be fitted 10 become citizens
and benp ndusrioss moral and exemplary in their ha
bits will constitute valuable portion Of the population
az The Territory. For q brief period. however, they
will reoure agents regulate their intercourse and
manage THAR relations with the other Indians and the
whites. The same commissioners could be charged with
the further duty Of entering into the necessary conventional
with the wild tribes of the Territory To ma
mage these Indians properly, they also have agents
and in order to break up their practice Of committing depe
daions and taking capves they should be placed in stua
tons where proper vigilance and control be exercised
over them Their forays INTO the Mexican territory only
be- prevented by locating them considerable distance from
the Boundary line and the establishment Of military posts
prevent them from crossing it. The boundaries Of the ccn
try allotted the several tribes respectively be cey
Defined and they should be allowed 60 beyond them
without special permission Thus situated and restrained,
portion of them would need the assistance Of the Government
until brought apply themselves to husbndy for the means
of subsistence, instead Of depending upon plumber and the
chase The adoption of this some other efficient system
Of measures would Involve expense far less than the
amount for which the Government win otherwise become
liable on account cf the just claims Of citizens and
hose of Mexico for spoaons committed by these indians
while It would obviae the serious evils that must result from
the settlement improvement Of the country being greatly
retarded An obligation Of the highest character rests upon
us to redeem the capives among the Indians in New Mexico
represented to be and liberal appropriations VIII
have 10 be made for that purpose
For interesting and more particular information respecting
our Indian affairs in this Territory, and especially in relation
to agency and organization required for their proper man
agemen respectfully refer the accompanying letter No
s3 from hoon. H. N Smith, and the reports from agent
: Calhoun.
We know but little Of the Inaians in Utah beyond the fact
that they arc generally peaceehe in their disposition and
easily controlled but further and full information to their
peculiar condition and may be expected from the
agent recently sent among them therefore refrain for the
present from making any recommendation inregard to he
them.
Our Indian relations in Texas remain in she awkward and
embarrassing state forth in the annual reports from this
Office for the last Eve years. end particularly in that OF my I'M
mediate predecessor Theaws provdngfor the regulation
of trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes are not IN
force Texas sy apPrehend be extended there
without the consent of that State. Thus while uniortu
nate state Of things exists in Texas similar to that in New
Mexico, and requiring IN tgenera the same remedial me6
sures have not the to put them in full and con-
pete operation. The constitutions is true, gives to Con-
gress the power regulate commerce with the Indian tribes
but that be rghuHy exercised in such manner as to
punish the citizens of that State for trepasng lands
cupsd by the Indians, trading with them unless licensed
by the Government proposition mat may well he con-
troverted. What required in regard the Indians in
Texas full and absolute authority assign to them suita
bic country, remote from the white population, for their ex-
elusive occupancy and where can make our own ar
rangeents for regulating trade and intercourse with them,
and adopt other for their gradual civilization and
Improvement With this view, respectfully suggest that
commissioner commissioners be appointed to confer with
for the purpose of eecng the conventional arrangements
indispensable to satisfactory adjustment Of our Indian
in that State. *s& ~
This measure, submit would be fully justified if recon-
mended alone by the consideration that it would probably
result in cutang the immense and comparatively useless
expense which the is subjected in main
tanning the large military force deemed necessary for the
lection and defence Of the citizens of Texas.
The adopted last year for the removal of the
Seminole Indians in Florida the country occupied by their
brethren west Of the mississippi failed Of entire success only
the district temporarily assigned to them the gulf side OF
the peninsula. These continue, heretofore in charge Of
the military, and hisdepartment has control or urisdc-
ton over them. ra M
Notwithstanding the efforts that have been made and the
heavy expense incurred during the last six to effect the
removal of the Choctaws remaining in Mississippi, consi-
derable number still continue ndsposed to migrate to the
country provided for the tribe west Of the State Of Arkansas
Anxiety felt that the State Of Mississippi shall be speedily
relieved Of this ncumbance, and the Indians transferred to
comfortable homes among their brethren, where they
would be comparatively prosperous and happy In view Of
past results, it Is evident that more efficient measures
necessary to accomplish heif removal These, it is
hoped may be devised and put into successful opeston at
early day.
Conceding the general wisdom and justice of the policy
adopted in ls47 of paying the annues to the Indians
the per capita principle, in my judgment there material
objections the in which has been practically
Piled The regulation this subject provides that portion
of the annues may be set apart by the Indians for national
and charitable purposes These purposes, however, have
been particularly defned rules not prescribed for
determining the amounts to be provided for them, nor have
been taken encourage the Indians to make
wise and beneficial disposition Of their funds. They nau-
rally desire to receive individually the full amount Of their
respective shares and consequently annues have
been distributed equally among them However fair and equt
able this mode Of payment may appear, is not altogether
just to the Chiefs consistent with sound policy 1t is
through the medium Of the chiefs that the Government holds
intercourse and dealings with the tribes in the transaction
of their important business and is not unreasonable
that they should expect from the Government than the
Indians receive consideration Of their station and
the services they perform. But according to the present
mode Of paying their annue the Indians all and alike
placed common level and, discrimination made
in favor of the Chiefs their influence is not only diminished
but feeling Of contempt for governmental authority in
raj is extensively inspired Evils Of ordinary magnitude
thus produced which, is believed may be reeded by
proper exercise Of the discretionary power this subject
vested in the President and the Secretary of the Interior
The greatest difficulty which the Government and indiv
duals have to contend with. in their efforts ameorae the
condition of Indians, their strong and uncomfortable
appetite for ardent Spirits and the facility with which they
still be procured notwithstanding the strngency of
laws and the strenuous efforts of the agents and military
prevent its introduction among them It is deplorabe fact
that there many engaged the lanous business
of smuggling liquor into the Indian country while others,
less daring, but equally depaved, stationed their
borders for the purpose Of carrying unhoy traffic with
them The States within which these mscreants take refuge
should be invoked TO put eectual stop their abomna
Gons.
The work of collecting and dgesting statistical and other
information illustrative Of the history condition, and future
prospects Of the Indian tribes has been unremtngy prose-
cuted, and the results believed. will