The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-06

with some eighty or ninety tribes; and there is
reason to believe that much good has resulted
There are novel provisions in these treaties
with the Indians of California and Oregon, the
practical operation and wisdom Of which must
be determined by ihose whose appropriate pro-
vince is to make them the law Of the land
The means applicable to Indian purposes in
California have been inadequate. Without
large sums Indian affairs in California and Ore
gon cannot be properly conducted and in this
connection the Commissioner recommends an
Assistant Commissioner for that State and Ter
ritory.
The Commissioner adverts to Indian affairs in
New Mexico, and says that 40 change has taken
place there. The wild, desert. and mountain
Gus country, the savage nature and untamed
habits Of the Indans-the inhabitants often
more reckless than the Indians Intensely es-the
scattered and heterogeneous population, are
beyond the control of the Department, and
have produced state of things so deplorable
as to render its acquisition misfortune, and its
possession a reproach TO the Government.
The Commissioner upbraids the military,
and says the officers of the army and the Indian
agents can hardly cooperate until the Governor
uf the Territory shall be in fact what he is in
name, Superintendent Of Indian Affairs.
An agent has been appointed for the Indians
in Utah, and two sub agents. A delegation NJ
Shoshonees or Snake Indians, disaffected
tribe, were recently present at the grand coun-
Gil at Fort Laramie, and left with more friendly
feelings
The treaties recently concluded by Superin-
tendent RAMSEY with the Chippewss at Penn
bina, and by Superintendent MITCHELL. and
Agent FITzPATRIcK, with the wild tribes of the
prairles at Fort Laramie, came to hand at SO
late period as TO afford but little time for CON
sidering their provisions but they are fully
explained In the accompanying reports of the
Commissioners, who doubtless have DISCHARGED
with fidelity and ability the arduous and i'm
portant duties imposed upon them.
There is no change in cur Indian rela-
lions with Texas, nor is there likely to be.
the Commissioner says, until the Indians
In that State are placed under the exclu-
slve control of the General Government;
and if Texas will not consent TO the ar
rangement suggested, necessary as it is TO
the security of her frontier, and the very ex.
lstence of the Indians, she can have no iuSt
cause to complain Of depredations committed by
furnishing aborigines Of the country, who Ger
talnly have the right to live somewhere. and
which they and their fathers have occupied for
countless generations.
The commissioners to treat with Indians on
the border of Mexico, finding the funds insult
ficlent, dissolved the commission. An account
of their proceedings is submitted.
An arrangement has been entered into with
General LUTHER BLAKE, of Alabama, for the
removal of the Florida Indians west, which as
yet may be regarded as an experiment
The excess of the regular estimates for the
present over the past year amounts to $50, 445,
caused mainly by an increased number of agents
in New Mexico and Utah, and the item of
$43,6OO for interest of Choctaw scrip. The
special estimates last year were 1884 1854 &c
more than the present year, and the entire
| amount appropriated at the last session on In
dian account exceeds the aggregate sum Of the
regular and special estimates now submitted
$l,228,3l2 81. Additional appropriations
however, will be required.
The second volume OF the work published by
authority of Congress, under the direction OF
this bureau, containing information respecting
the history, condition, and prospects of the In
dams tribes of the United States, is in press.
and will shortly be ready for distribution.
The Commissioner concludes with some ap-
Poslte remarks in regard to the practcability of
civlizing the Indians, in which he refers to the
debasng influence of the annuity system as re-
tarding this work, and leaves the subject with
the observation that any plan for the civilization
of our Indians will be fatally defective if it do
not, provide in the most efficient manner-frst,
| for their concentration; secondly, for their do
mestication; and, thirdly, for their ultimate in
corporation into the great body of our citizen
population.