The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-06
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN
AFFAIRS
DEPARTMENT or THE INTERIOR,
Office Indian Affairs, Nov. 81, 1851

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Office Indian Affairs. Nov. 81, 1851.
SIR The limits of a report of this description will adj
init only OF very general and summary view OF the
dition OF our Indian affairs, and the operations of this
branch of the public service during the last twelve
months. For detailed information, reference must be
had to the documents herewith, consisting of the reports
OF superntendens. agents. missionaries, and others,
which contain mass OF facts and specuaoDs curious,
interesting, and important
In the last annual report from this office auson
made to mutual aggressons the part Of the Sioux and
Chippewas attended by melancholy incidents Of Indian
barbarity and folly In despite OF all efforts to prevent
them similar have taken place within the last
year, by which both tribes have suffered. or less
from depredAtons upon their property, and IN the
der OF number OF their men, women, and children. No
treaty arrangements among themselves appear be re-
garded of sufficient force prevent the deadly
nifty which exists between The two tribes from manifest
ing itself, as often as opportunity offers. in the most
shocking atrocities. With this exception, gratifying
degree OF order has prevailed among all the tribes with
whom we have defined and established relations. and
who have felt the controlling influence of the govern.
ment in directing their pursuits. and in the management
been peaceful and friendly. Most OF them have readily
yielded to the policy and of the department for
the improvement OF their condition and such the ad
vance, many OF them have made in civilization, that flat
eIlng encouragement is not only afforded for continued
effort the part Of the government and lis agents among
Them but on the part also, OF benevolent Christian mis-
sionaries who, with commendable and self sacrificing
spirit have been engaged in impartng 10 the various
tribes the divine truths OF Christianity.
During the past summer treaties have been made with
various bands OF the Sioux Indians by which they cede
large and valuable extent OF country OF the Mis-
sssippi riyer in The Territory Of Minnesota and Stale OF
Iowa. To the treaties themselves, and the report OF the
commissioners on the part OF the government by whom
they were effected you are respectfully referred for de-
tailed information concerning these important negota.
lions In view OF the rapid spread OF the white population
in the Stale and Territory within which the lands ac-
qured by these treaties situated the growing discon-
tent among the warlike Indians from whom they are OBJ
taned-embrohed as they often are in difficulties with
the Chippewas, and threatening and more the peace
OF the frontier in that Quarer-the extinguishment Of
their title TO the lands ceded has long been a sub
lect oil serious consideration and desire by the govern
ment.
A considerable number OF the Chppewas who had
continued 70 reside on the coded lands Of the Misss
1887 and 642 have been removed during the present
year Indeed, with the exception OF the Anse and Vieux
Desert bands together with portion OF the Pelican.
Lake. and Wisconsin river bands, entire removal has
been effected The chiefs, and about onehaf of the two
last named bands, have emgrated The remainder with
the Veux Desert band, were recently reported suffer
other causes. will prevent any attempt TO remove
them until the coming spring, when, it is believed,
such Of them as i may be exPedient to remove can
this year reported TO be three thousand and including
the Anse band, s supposed that only hundred
main on the coded lands. Apprehensions however are
have removed to their old hunting grounds they will re-
turn in considerable numbers, and only again modest
our czens but be reduced 10 des,iuon and want, as
such event. they will forfeit their annutes and have to
depend alone on the wild products OF the country which
are now 30 nearly exhausted not afford them the
means OF subsistence The same view OF this subject
induced me heretofore to recommend that efforts be made
TO concentrate them within proper limits OF the Mis-
sssippi, where, with additional means beyond those
already provided, arrangements could be made intro
duee amoag them system OF education, embracing the
knowledge and practice OF agriculture and the simpler
mechanic arts. But. the country referred to was not
the common property OF the whole tr'bepar of il be
longing exclusively TO particular bands who are not par
ties TO any treaties, and who receive annues or ma
tsrsl aid from the United Staiesit also recommend
20 mat Congress BE- asked for an appropriation to deray
pose OF acquiring such portions OF the country the east
SIDE OF the MISSISSIPPI might be required to supply the
% o. our white population; providing, ALSO thai the
Wnoe oi ner remaining lands together with their pres
ana uute means, should be the common properly OF
ine enIe uoe and that large proportion OF their
S m :. should be set apart and applied in
soG1 manner as PEST to secure their comfort and mos,
rapidly advance them in civilization and prosperv NJ
action was had upon this Recommendation. owing main.
y. believed. to the shoness Of the session and ,he
pressure OF business upon both Congress and The dent
mcnt now, therefore, renew the recommends
sats6sd that the policy thus briefly referred 10 . moi only
and interesting tribe but is necessary save them from
actual starvation, the game which they mainly de-
pend for the means Of living fas, disappearing and can
not much longer afford them support
BY permission Of the President the Menomonees sll
remain on the lands IN Wisconsin coded by them under
The provisions OF their treaty Of is4s with the United
Satss In that treaty il was stipulated that they
ne permten 10 remain two Years from the date thereof
and until they were notified by the President that the
lanes were wanted by The government To induce
them to remove to the counlryin Minnesota assigned to
them BY the treaty. was also stipulated that should
explored by suitable delegation, to be selected for
This exploration took place in the summer
o. oS but IRON representations made 10 the
\ swsais That the Indians, previously dissatisfied with
are dissatisfied also with the country assigned
20 ana manifest the greatest reluctance TO remove
e al OF ias year was the period fixed upon for their
- ou' owing TO their urgent appeals and thoae OF
maS % we WINES m their Immediate vicinity, and in
CO. .Snson OF iher peaceful habits, the President
a.std them permission to remain until The fra, 81 Inn.
OF 70: present. year AL the expiration OF this last amed
psnoo, csng known that they had made no arrange