The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-02-18

The Indian Tribes.
The documents communicated to Congress by
the President, accompanying his message at the
opening OF the present session, form volume ex-
ceedng nine hundred pages. They are of great
interest, comprising large amount of authentic
narrative, valuable statistics and important Incl
dents.
The report of the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs together with the reports of the agents and
suo-agents, occupies one hundred and forty pages
Here is summary Of the present condition Of the
Indian tribes. Many of the pecularties of the diff
terent races and classes are Observation-Disclosures slow
and uncertain progress in the arts of civilization, is
detailed by observers appointed by the Govern
ment residing near and among them.
The Indians have neither books nor newspapers
to publish their rights or wrongs. The whites
have extinguished the title of the red man to vast
territories, and have nearly extngaished the bands
that roamed over them.
Ihe deterioration caused by intoxicating drinks,
supplied by sordid wretches, is most rapid and uu
Paralleled. The hereditary enmity, provoking
predatory and exterminating warfare among MANY
tribes, has the effect of gradual extinction. While
the increase Of our population, its march from the
Missouri frontier westward, and from the Pacific
east steadily diminishing the intervening space it
Is remarked, leaves alternative but civilization.
or the little remnant of this Inflated race must
utterly perish. Probably before many years have
passed, the history and the fate of these people
must De collected and preserved BY their de-
stroyers.
Ahese annual reports to the Government bv its
agents, will be reliable sources of information.
tbs very satisfactory to be informed nv the
commissioner that the work of coect;ng and
digesting statistical and other information ;llus-
tra've Of the history, condition, and future nros.
poets of the Indian tribes, has been unrem,,;n,
prosecuted. that the first part of these nvest;ga.
"ohS is IN press, and will be laid before Congress
at any early period of the ensuing session.
The novel, and at this migrating era, most impor.
tant intelligence, found in the narrative BY Maio,
Cross, occupies one hundred and ten pages of the
volume. This is report, in the form Of journal
to the Quartermaster General, of the march of the
United States Regiment of Mounted RiAemen to
Oregon, from May 10th to October s. ls49
The original report is accompanied with thirty
i've views and illustrations, not inserted in thu
volume distributed by Congress. 1t is to be hoped
these will be given to the public in an edition o
tnis journal by the Government. Any publishe
would be remunsrated by the demand for the work
/" much more interesting and valuable thar
nne''enths OF the books Of travels among populous
cues ana cultivated regions, Here is narrative
Journey OF two thousand miles, much of il
,ousn desert waste Of prairie, crossing vast
axes ana rivers, meeting roaming bands Of
'avages, whose habits are described infinitely.
-, ne MAJORS style is plain and to the purpose.
ms report will, no doubt, have an extensive crcu.
lation in this and other countries