Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-27

embarrassed and perplexed condition that has character
lied them for several past and they must continue
until the anomalous position in which the Government
is placed in regard to them be essentially changed In
the last annual it recommended that commits
sorers be appointed confer with the proper authorities
of Texas this subject with view to arrangement
for pcngthe Indians in that State under the exclusive
control of the General Government The recommends
ton is earnestly renewed for, until this measure
effected it is vain to expect that Indian affairs in that
State be placed satisfactory footing The num-
Der Of these Indians far less than generally supposed
large Of territory is not required for them
They in such condition to be compelled to starve
steal and if Texas will not consent to the arrange
ment suggested necessary it is to the security OF her
frontier and the very existence of the Indians, she
have just complain Of depredations commit
ted by furnishing aborgnes Of the country who certainly
have the right to live somewhere, and nowhere more
certainly than the lands which they and their fathers
have occupied for countless generations.
The commissioners appointed for the purpose of nego
tang treaties with the Indians the borders of Mexico
and for other purposes being instructed that their expen
dures exceed the amount of funds which had
been placed in their hands, and finding them insufficient
to accomplish the objects of their appointment deemed
it proper dissolve the commission The instructions
under which they acted in bringing their abors to close
together with condensed account of their proceedings
while in service, viii be found in documents herewith
submitted.
The Indians in Florida have long been the occasion Of
expense to the Government and OF annoyance
tho people or the State who with great unanimity
deeply anxious for their removal to the country pro-
cocnsng the obligation of the Government to perseyere
in its endeavors to accomplish this desirable object and
satisfied that other than those heretofore employed
were Indispensable the Department has deemed it expe-
dent the efficiency of individual enterprise, smu-
lated by the hope of gain contingent on success This
has been done by arrangement entered into with Gen.
Luther Blake of Alabama, the particulars OF which are
forth in his letter of instructions copy OF which
accompanies this report Many causes combine to rem
der the removal of these Indians work of extreme diff
fculty the least of which is the offer heretofore
made by officers Of the army to pay them individually
large sums of money ranging from one hundred to ten
thousand dollars in consequence of which they natural
" expect that they will not be required to remove with
out the payment of equal larger amounts than they
have already refused. am by no means sanguine,
therefore, that the plan for removing them now IN opera
ton win be attended with success but is worthy OF
trial if it fall the loss to the Government viii be mere
trie if succeed the gratifying result will amply vim
dictate the wisdom of the experiment
The regular estimates of the Office for the present ex
coed those of the last year S59445 This excess is
caused mainly by the increased number OF agents and
interpreters for New Mexico and Utah. authorized by the
act of 9th February 1851 reorganzng this Department
and the transfer from the special the regular estimates
of the item S43600, required to pay the interest on
Choctaw scrip The difference between the amount APP
propated by Congress at its last session on special es
and the amount of that class OF estimates for the
present year is very large, being 1884 exclusive
of the interest the appropriation of S24 ~ to
pay the Cherokees amounting to $4O2, 30 The en-
tire appropriated at the last session on Indian
$3.50
special estimates submitted ST ,22S 3l2.52 1t is
proper to remark however that additional appropriations
will be required the estimates for which will be submit
ted the data in the possession Of
the Office The explanatory remarks accompanying the
estimates, it is hoped will be found satisfactory, as care
has been taken to make them conformabe to law.
The second volume Of the work published by authority
of Congress- under the direction of this bureau contain
ing information respecting the history condition, and
of the Indian tribes of the United States is in
press and will shortly be ready for distribution 1t will
be found worthy sequel to the preceding volume which
received with much general favor
The civilization Of the Indians within the territory OF
the United States is cherished object OF the Govern
ment. 1t undoubtedly merits all the consideration be-
slowed upon it. and the employment of all the
cessary for its accomplishment There are not wanting
those who Judging from the apparent little success which
in instances has attended the instrumentaltes EN-
poyed doubt the praccabty of the measure 1t shouc
be remembered however that to change savage people
from their barbarous habits to those OF civilized life is
its nature work Of time; and the results already at
tained eynced in the improved condition OF several
our tribes sufficient to silence the most skepca ant
warrant the that perseverance in the cause WI
achieve
The history Of the Indian furnishes abundant proof tina
he all the elements essential to his elevation
all the powers instincts and sympathes which appertai
his white brother and which only need the proper de
veopmen and direction to enable him to tread with equa
step and dignity the walks of civilized life He is intel
lectual proud brave, generous; and in his devotion
his family his country and the Of his fathers 1t
clearly shown that the kind affections and the impulses
patriotism animate his heart That his nferiority is
necessity of his nature is neither taught by philosophy
nor attested by experience Prejudice against him. orr
ginang of opinion this subject has doubles
been formidable obstacle in the way of his improvement
while on the other hand it is equally certain that hi
progress has been retarded by iconce1ved and mlsd
rected efforts to hasten his advance.
1t is questionable whether the immense amount
paid them in the way Of annuies have not been, ant
are not now all things considered to them rathe
than blessing Certain it is there has not ut all time
been the most wise and beneficial application OF thei
funds To the spirit of enterprise in the Indian
and bring him to realize the necessity OF reliance upo
himself in industrial pursuit for his support ant
comfort generally if not universally the initiative ste
to his civilization which he is often prevented from taking
by the debasing influence Of the annuity system Blu
the system is fastened upon and its attendant evil
must be endured.
On general subject of the civilization of the Indians
many and diversified opinions have been put forth but
unfortunately like the which they relate they arr
too wild to be of much utility. The great question: How
shall the Indians be civilized yet remains without sat
sfactory The magnitude of the subject and the
asiss1 dsnltics insepaEaby connected with Il seen
ed to give il the thorough investigation. The
mark OF the late Attorney General Legare is not more
striking than true that there is nothing in the whole
compass of laws anomalous hard TO bring with
in any precise definition any logical and scientific
rangement of principles, the relation in which the In
dams stand towards this Government and those of the
States" My own views not sufficiently matured t.
justify me in undertaking to present them here To dc
would require elaborate detail and swell this repor
beyond its proper limits. therefore leave the subjec
for the present remarkng only that any plan for the cy
lization of our Indians will in my Judgment be fatal,
defective it do not provide in the efficient
first for their concentration secondly for their domest
cation; and thirdly for their ultimate incorporation
the great body Of our citizen population.
Respectfully submitted