The republic., 1851-12-12

sn nder the exclusive control of the General
Government The recommendation 10 now car
nestly renewed for, until this measure ls elected
il ID vain TO expect that Indian affairs In u at state
can be placed on satisfactory footing. The mum
Der of these Indians is far less than Is generally
supposed. A large extent OF territory - not re-
CURED for them. They in such condition as TO
be compelled to starve or steal; and II leAas VIII
not consent to the arrangement suggested heces-
sary il Is 10 the security OF her irohter ana tue
very existence of the Indiana she can nave no J9st
cause TO complain of depredatons coInmited py
famishine aborigines of the country, who Ger
tainly have the right TO live somewhere, and no.
where more certainly than on the lands which they
and their fathers have occupied Tor countess gene
rSions. =. 49,. .,,u. os
negotiating treaties with the Indians on the bor-
,ers of Mexico and for other purposes, being IN
structed that their expenditures must not exceed
the amount of funds which had been placed in their
hands, and finding them insufficient to accomplish
the objects OF their appointment, deemed II proper
to dissolve the commission. The INSTRUCTIONS uh-
der which they acted In bringing their labors 10
close, together with condensed account OF their
proceedings while in service will be found IN docu
ments herewith submitted
The Indians in florida have long been the occa-
sion of enormous expense to the Government and
of annoyance the people OF the State, who, with
great unanimity, are deeply anxious Tor their re-
moval to the country provided Tor their rlpe west
of the Mississippi river. Recognising the obnga'
ton of the Government to persevere in its endea-
vors to accomplish this desirable OBJECT, and sals-
fed that other means than those heretofore EN-
ployed indispensable, the department. mas
deemed il expedient 10 test the efficiency OF lnal-
vidual enterprise, stimulated by the hope OF gain
contingent on success. This has been done by an
arrangement entered into with General Luther
Blake, OF Alabama, the particulars OF which are
- ~ forth In his letter Of instructions, copy OF
which accompanies this report Many causes com
Dlne to render the removal OF these Indians work
Of extreme difficulty; not the least OF which Is TIE
offer heretofore made by officers Of the army 20
pay them individually large sums OF money, rang
ing from one hundred TO ten thousand dollars; IN
consequence of which, they naturally expect that
they will not be required TO remove without the
payment Of equal, or larger amounts than they
have already refused. am by no means sanguine,
therefore, that the plan for removing them now IN
operation will be attended with success; but II Is
worthy of trial; il il fail the loss to the Govern
ment will be trife; if it succeed, tho graf.
flying result will amply vindicate the wisdom oil
the experiment.
The regular estimates of the Office for the present
exceed those of the last year 9,445. This ex-
cess is caused. mainly, by the Increased number
Of agents and interpreters lor New mexico ana
Utah, authorized by the act OF 9th February loo'
reorganizng this department; and the transfer
from the special to the regular estimates oil the
item, S43 600, required TO pay the interest on
Choctaw scrip. Tue difference between the amount
. appropriated by Congress at its last session on
special estimates and the amount of that class OF
estimates for the present year, is very large, being
1854 954 60, exclusive OF the interest on the ap-
preparation of 1924 603 81, to pay the Cherokees,
appropriated at the last session, Indian account,
exceeds the aggregate sum OF the regular and
special estimates now submitted, Sl,22o,3l2 o.
IL ia proner to remark, however, that additional
appropriations will be required; the estimates for
which will be submitted as soon as the necessary
data in the possession OF the ONCE The ex-
planatory remarks accompanying the estimates,
il is hoped will be found satisfactory, care has
been taken to make them conformable 10 law
The second volume OF the work, published by au
horty ofCongress, under the direction oi this bu
reau, containing information respecting the his
tory condition and prospects of the Indian tribes
of the United States s in press and Will shortly be
ready for disributi II will be found worthy
sequel to the preceding volume, which wac received
with SO much general favor.
The civilization of the Indians, within the terri
tory of the United States, is cherished object OF
the Government. 1t undoubtedly merits all the
consideration bestowed upon 1t, and the employ
ment Of all the necessary for its accomplish
ment. There are not wanting those who, judging
from the apparently little success which In some
instances has attended the instrumentalties en-
ployed doubt the practcability OF the measure.
IL should be remembered, however, that to change
n savage people from their barbarous habits 10
those OF civilized life is, in its nature work OF
time; and the results already attained, as evlnced
In the improved condition OF several OF our tribes,
are sufficient TO silence the most skepucal, and
warrant the assurance that perseverance in the
cause will achieve success
The history Of the Indian furnishes abundant
proof that possesses all the elements essential to
his elevation; all the powers, instincts, and sympa-
thies which appertain to his white brother; and
which only need the proper development and di-
rection to enable him to tread with equal step and
dignity the walks Of civilized life. He ID intellec
tual, proud, brave, generous; and IN his devotion
TO his family, his country, and the graves OF his
fathers, il is clearly shown that the kind affections,
and the impulses Of patriotism animate his heart.
That his inerority is necessity OF his nature is
neither taught by philosophy nor attested by expe-
rience. Prejudice against him, originating in err
Of opinion on this subject has doubtless been
formidable obstacle in the way Of his improvement;
while the other hand, it is equally certain that
his progress has been retarded by l-concelved and
misdirected efforts to hasten his advance. II is
even questionable whether the immense amounts
paid TO them in the way OF annuites have not been
and are not now, all things considered, curse to
them rather than a blessing. Certain 1t is there
has not at all times been the most wise and bepeh.
cial application of their funds. To arouse the spirit
of enterprise in the Indian, and bring him to
lize the necessity of reliance upon himself in some
industrial pursuit, for his support and comfort, Is
generally, if not universally, the initiative step to
his civilization which he is often prevented from
taking by the debasing influence Of the annuity
system. But the system Is fastened upon us, and
its attendant evils must be endured.
On the general subject Of the civilization Of the
Indians, many and diversified opinions have been
put forth; but unfortunately, like the race To
which they relate, they too wild to be OF much
utility. The great question, How shall the In.
dians be civilized! yet remains without satlsiac
tory answer. The magnitude of the subject, and
the manifold difficulties nseparably connected
with il, seem TO have bewdered the minds OF those
who have attempted to give it the most thorough
investigation. The remark Of the late Attorney
General Legare is not striking than true, that
'"There is nothing in the whole compass of our
laws anomalous so hard to bring within any
precise definition, or any logical and scientific
rangemeut Of principles. the relation In which
the Indians stand towards this Government and
those of the States" My own views are not suth
GENTLY matured to justify me in undertaking to
present them here To do go would require elabo
rate detail, and swell this report beyond its proper
limits. therefore leave the subject for the prcs
ent, remarking only that my plan for the civl
zation of our Indians will, in my judgment be
fatally defective if it do provide in the most CT
fcient Inanner-frst for their concentration; sec
ondly, for their Generalization; and, thirdly, for
their ultimate incorporation into the great body of
citizen population.
Respectfully submitted,
j.. LEA, Commissioner.
Hon A. II. II. STUART,
Secretary Of the Interior.