The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-05


mode OF disposng OF them The whole subject is sn.
barfassed with difficulties and il would 10 be beer
10 submit to the temporary inconvenience OF imperfect
system than 10 incur the hazard OF adopting founded
IN erroneous principles, under which rights might bs
vested in Individuals and the evils become Iemedable
by the legislative power.
The report OF the Commissioned contains many valu.
able suggestion aud recommendations with regard to
tam lands the titles 10 which have been adjudcaed iG
suits against the United States authorized by the act
OF June H. 1914 the interference ol sales and oc cations
win Old grants; amendments OF the provisions oil
me e:empon portion OF the act Of 4h September lS4I
me revival and continuance of the powers conferred by
the act OF 81 OF March, lSlo, Tor the adjustment OF
pended enres as to the mode OF dsposng OF abandoned
military reservations and The unsod portions of the Chick
asaw eesslon OF 1925 and with respect TO the districts
from which the jurisdiction OF the surveyors general has
been withdrawn their Offices abolished, and the archives
transferred to the authorities OF the States the propriey
Of allowing certain fees the registers and receiy ers or
their services in locating bounty land warrants, and the
increase OF the compensation OF the surveyors general al
Oregon and California; to all OF which respectfully in.
vite your attention.
ladian AGars.
The report Of the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs will
furnish full and precise information regard to the
en condition OF all the various tribes within our borders
and the nature oil our existing relations with each OF
them. s..a.. ,.t8rH
It will be seen ha, the tribes resident in New York
and in the country ives, Of Arkansas, are living under
governments established by themselves and making grad
ual advances in agriculture and all the pursuits OF civil
lied lie Those settled in the Northwest are also begin.
ming the habits and occupations OF the whites
and are living peaceable citizens their terri.
tory. They have thus acquired the good will Of their
neghbors, and in some instances where, by the terms
be removed at the will OF the President from their present
abodes, petitions numerously signed by white persons
resident in he, immediate vicinity have been presented.
praying that they may be allowed to remain Under
these circumstances humanity and sound policy alike
quire compliance with the wishes Of the petitioners
aud therefore cordially in The recommendation OF
the Commissioners 10 that effect.
Treaties have been negotiated with some OF the tribes
OF the Northwest, on terms mutually advantageous to
/ orfta h, ptf yhaIr In honh haap
tngushed to a large domain in Minnesota, covering
area extensive as the State OF New York, and well
adapted TO the purposes OF agriculture reasa 1
Treaties have also, it is believed been negotiated with
many OF the tribes resident in New Mexico California.
Oregon, and the country west OF the Missouri But. as
they have yet been received definite information
be given TO the precise character OF their sp
uatlons ~
In New Mexico many depredations have been commit.
ted the inhabitants by the warlke tribes OF Apaches
and Cumanches, Notwithstanding their treaty obligations
abstain from all such aggressions Hostile incursons
have also been made by them into the territory OF MeS
and many ciuzens OF that republic have been carried
captves into The Indian country The agents of the
United States in that quarter have used every means IN
their power prevent these ouages but without
1t may therefore become proper 10 bring the mill
tay power of the country aid Of the civil authority in
teaching these awless bands to respect the rights OF our
The acquisition of New Mexico and California and
the rapid expansion oil our settlements IN oregon and
Utah have given increased importance 10 our Indian
aiions and may render change in our whole policy in
! regard 10 them necessary. Heretofore our settlements
being confined TO the portion Of our coniineni.
we have been gradually forcing the Indian tribes west
ward, the tide of population flowed in that direction
By this they have been accumulated in large
hers on our western frontier The results have been in
jury the Indians by crowding them together such
numbers that the game is insu hcient for their support
and injustice 10 the western States whose security
dangered by the proximity of their savage neghbors
But since the acquisition of California and Oregon and
the establishment OF large settlements the coast OF the
Pacific and in Utah, new flow Of white population e
advancing upon them from the West. The pressure il
therefore increasing upon them from both sides OF the
continent. On the north and the south they also
hemmed in by civilized communities. They are thus
compassed BY unbroken chain OF civilization and the
question forces itself upon the mind OF the statesman and
the phlanthroplst what is 10 become OF the aboriginal
raceI This question must now be fairly met tempo.
rizng system longer be pursued The policy OF
removal except under peculiar circumstances must me-
cessary be abandoned and the only alternative LEFT -
to civize or exlermnae them. We must adopt one or
the other just, humane, and Christian people cannot
long hesitate which 10 choose and only remains 10 de-
eide upon the means necessary TO be adopted 70 eneS The
contemplated revolution in the Indian character and des-
tiny is great work, and will require time Tor It's &C.
conpshment but can, and believe will be achieved.
1t must be commenced by substituting kindness Tor CO
ercionby feeding and clothing them rather than war.
ring upon and driving the n from Their territory
IL cannot be denied that most OF the depIedaions CON.
mtted by the Indians frontiers the offspring oil
dire necessity The advance Of population compels
them renqush their fertile lands and seek refuge IN
sterile regions which furnish neither corn nor game ior
their subsistence lmpeed by hunger, they seize the
horses mules and cattle OF the pioneers 10 relieve their
wants and satisfy the cravings OF nature They are I'M
mcdiatey pursued, and when overiaken severely pun
ished This creates feeling Of revenge on their part
which seeks its qualification IN ouages on the persons
and property OF peaceable inhabitants lhe whole conn,
ry then becomes excited and desoiang war, attended
with vast sacrifice of blood and treasure ensues his,
il is believed, history oil the orgn Of most OF
our Indian hosllllties To avoid results like these
| would respectfully recommend that appropriations be
made bay food and clothing to supply Their immediate
wants that they be permitted 10 retain suitable portions
OF their present territory which should be set apart iot
their exclusive and occupation that they De fufnsned
with implements OF husbandry and domestic animals ana
encouraged TO engage agricultural and pastoral puf
suts and TO rely the products oil tne labor instead
OF the spos Of the chase, for the support OF themselves
| and their families,
The great obstacle 10 success which must be met and
overcome at the outset, is their nomadc mode oi hle
All history aduonshes OF the difficulty OF civizing
a wandering race who live mainly upon game 70 tame
"a wage YOU must tie him down 10 the son. Yon must
make him understand the value Of property and the ben
efs OF its separate ownership You must appeal to those
nature Of for the vsest purposes. and make them
minister to civilization and refinement lou must en-
courage the appropriation of lands by udividuasi AZ
ach them their homes by the ties oil interest," eacn
them the use Of agriculture and the art OF peace ann
ma ke them learn 10 substitute beet ana pork anu muuon
as their food for the deer and the buho huness NUS
supplant force Their self.respect must De snmu'aed,
and manual labor schools introduced among them and
,ho .horld he aught to look forward TO the day when
thew NAV be elevated to the dignity of American c
H. means ike these we shall reap our reward in
the suppressIon OF Indian denredatons; ~ me dimnu-
tioo o ihe expenses OF the Department OF War In
valuable addition to our productive population; in the
increase of our agriculture and commerce, and IN the
nroud consciousness that have removed from our
national escu,cheon the stain left upon IT BY our ac
knowledged injustice to the Indian race. te