The southern press., 1851-12-09
Abstract Of the Report OF the Commissioner
Of Indian Affairs.

general and summary view of the operations Of
his branch of the public service.
In his last annual report alusion was made
to the mutual aggressions of the Sioux and
ChlpPeWas, and similar occurrences have taken
place within the last year, resulting in depreda-
'lohs on each others property, and the murder
oi men, women and children, regardless of their
treaty arrangements.
W I'm this exception, order has prevailed
ani , all The tribes with whom we have estab-
ished relations, and who have felt the control
ling influence of our government To our
citizens they have been peaceable and friendly (.
nave readily yielded to the policy of the depart.
ment for improving their condition: and oao,d
cd tiatterng encouragement, by their advances
IN civilization, to the agents OF the government
and to the missionaries who have been impart'
ing to them the 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 county
west of the Mississippi, in Minnesota and Iowa.
TO the treaties and the report of the commits
siohers he refers for details, In view of the
rapid spread of the white population, and the
growing discomfort of the Indians in this region,
the extinguishment Of the Indian title to the
lands has long been desired by the government.
A number of the Chippewas who had con.
tinued to reside on the lands east of the Missis-
sippi in Wisconsin and Minnesota, have been
removed during the present year. With the
exception OF the Anse and Vieux Desert bands,
and portion Of Pelican Lake and Wisconsin
river bands, an entire removal has been effected.
The remainder are reported to be suffering
from smallpox and measles, and cannot be re-
moved until spring, when it is thought they can
be induced to enigrate. The number removed
this year is reported to be 5000; the number
remaining is about 700. An apprehension that
they migt return in considerable numbers and
modest our citizens, has induced the commits
sioner heretofore to recomI end that efforts be
made to concentrate them west of the Missis-
sippi, where arrangements could be made to
educate and instruct them in agriculture and the
mechanic arts. But as The country was not the
common property Of these Indians it was also
recomm ended to ask Congress to defray the ex.
panse of negotiation with all the bands, for
the purpose of acquiring portions of the country
east OF the Mississippi necessary to the wants of
The white population, providing that the re-
naming lands should be the common property
Of the whole tribe, and that a proportion of
their funds should be set aside to advance them
in civilization and prosperity. This recon-
mendation the commissioner now renews.
" The Mennmonees are still on the lands in
Wiscosin ctded by them in 1913, owing to
their dissatisfaction with the country assigned
them, and the President, az an act of favor, has
consented that they shall remain until next
June, provided they do not interfere with the
public surveys. The superintendent to whom
the difficulties Of their case was submitted has
reported in favor of permitting them to remain
on more remote tract in Wisconsin, which will
not be wanted by the emigrants for many years
IA recommendation which the commissioner
sanctions, in consideration of their extreme
poverty and harmless disposition. This course
will require another treaty.
treaty was made with the Ottawas and
Chippewas in 1885, by which they cede their
lands i'll Michig n, reserving cert in tracts,
which reservation the Senate limited for five
years; but as these Indians have manifested
great industry and Improvement, the commits
sioner recommends that Congress appropriate
sum to consummate measures necessary for
their permanent settlement where they now re-
side
Thus course previously recommended by sever
al of the commissioners predecessors and him.
self, reference TO some of the tribes on the
borders of the Western States, is the only one,
he thinks, which can save them from utter ex-
hnctiOn-which is, TO open "A northern outlet
for the rapid and onward current of our white
population. Unless this is done, they will be
driven forth to perish on the plains. By timely
precautions these tribes may become an inteli-
gent and Christian people
I, The measure If paying the Choctaws east of
the Mississippi their scrip has had the effect OF
stimulating their emigration westward The
commissioner coRcurs with the agent OF the Choc-
Jaws west that it w0aid be better to pay in mo-
ney the funded portion Of the scrip, putting an
end TO fraud and pccuation, and relieving Ala
bama Mississippi, and Louisiana, of an Indian
population.
The Winnob Cos are becoming better satis-
fed with the courtry TO which thcr have re-
moved, and give evidences of being ere long
thrifty and conented reople.
The tribes of the Usage river agency COM
posed of Weas, Piankeshaws, Peoras, Kaskas-
kias and Mianies have abandoned the chase,
engaged in agriculture, and by intermarriage
have become practically one tribe. They have,
generally, taken the temperance pledge, and are
said TO be doing well.
The condition Of the Iowas Sscs and Foxes
Of Missouri. and Kickapoos, il steadily improv-
ing. The Sacs and Foxes last spring lost about
oncfilth Of their number with small pox
Prompt measures were taken to prevent the pes
thence spreading.
Encouraged by the Towas, three hundred
WinnehagOs have settled and intermarried
among the former The m dliness of these
'lOcS, anu Nllt tATeIHc hNeTrlON OF Tue " lHHe-
bagVs 10 the country assigned them in Mnne-
SOFA, renders questionable the policy Of disturb.
ing them.
The three commissioners 10 negotiate with
Indian tribes in Oregon, having entered upon
their duties in February last, report that the In
dams on the Willamette and Lower Columbia
rivers are peaceably disposed; but other tribes,
north and soutn, are wild and fierce. Six
treaties have been negotiated with various
bands, and reservations assigned them west of
the Cascade mountains. They refused to have
their money set arart tor school or agricultural
purposes, except the Twalalty band. The com
mission has been dissolved.
Superintendent Dat considers the Indians
generally IN Oregon as temperate, peaceful, and
easily managed. lie has negotiated several
important treaties with them, which have not
yet been receevd.
From eur gents in California much info-ma-
lion has boo, r,c.;yaJ bpt to-, dseul IN 10