The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-06

son made good crops oil corn, anu are IN si way o.
HESITATION with the loways to whom thess Winneba-
soes much attached, the most friendly relations
nsxon shall moi be disturbed On the part OF the Ioways
much devotedness and generous feeling have been dis
played. illustrating, in highly creditasle manner the
sincerity Of their friendship Tor these solourners OF
another tribe among them On several occasions they
have gone far as 10 request the agent TO allow the
Winnebasoes TO participate IN Their annulies equally
with themselves This evidence OF dsinteTesed.
ness and generosity is OF itself sufficient 10 commend the
wishes Of these Indians 10 indalgent, consideration
on as part Of the aa wnsn i
unconQuerable aversion 10 the country assigned TO
their tribe in Minnesota il may well be doubted whether
the interests OF the government and the Indians VIII not
be promoted by permitting them TO remain where they
But it is apprehended by some that serious difficult
ties may result from the adoption OF this policy whilc
on the other hand certain h .na e 10 MIN
and trouble No little diversity OF opinion exists in
ation to this subject and presents one OF the legion
airy cases arising of Indian relations IN which il
is impossible for the department TO ascertain with GER
taniy what should be done.
| The three commissioners appointed by authority Of
Congress negotiate treaties with the Indian tribes in
the Territory OF Oregon entered upon the duties Of their
commission in February last They report that the In.
dams the Willamette and Lower Columbia rivers
are peaceably disposed, but that other tribes north and
south OF those rivers, wild and fierce. Six treaties
have been negotiated by them with the various bands OF
Caapoogas and Morla les, allowing all the bands res
evations on the west side OF the Cascade mountains
The Indians refused to have any OF their money set apart
for agricultural and school purposes, except the Twa
iay band who consented y have small portion OF
Iements. Many OF them good farm hands and labor
in that capacity for the citizens They profess be
adopt the habits and customs Of life
The country coded these treaties comprises that Pa, OF
Willamette valley extending southwark from Oregon
city TO Mays river, and is represented TO be the most
valuable and thckly settled part of the district
The commissioners by whom the treaties referred to
were negotiated being Informed by this Office that their
functions had been ahrogated by recent aw OF Con-
nj
prosecuting negotiations with the Indians in Oregon was
imposed the regular officers OF the Indian department
! in that Territory.
from almost every tribe east OF the Cascade mountains,
and ALL except the Snake and Rogue river Indians. were
submissive to his authority and he considers the lncians
lgeneally in Oregon the most temperate peaceful and
easily managed OF all our wilder tribes He has been
successful negotiating several important treaties with
them, which represented as highly advantageous to
the governments but they have notyet been received at
| this Office.
From our agents in California much interesting infor-
nation has been received concerning the Indians IN that
State but is unfortunately Of too desuory charac-
ter 10 be entirely satisfactory number OF treaties have
been made with these Indians, embracing from eighty to
stion by citizens OF California to the measures of the
agents has been exhibited yet there is reason to believe
that much good has resulted from their efforts to put
stop to hoses and secure peace for the futue between
the whites and the Indians OF the necessity or expe-
dency OF The particular measures adopted by them for
this and other purposes, is difficult at this distance from
Tue scene OI operations Juuke Win commence, Co
pecally there is points difference of opinion
among the agents themselves In the treaties negotiated
with the Indians in California and Oregon, there are
novel PROVISIONS the practical operation OF which can
not be foreseen Whether they shall be ratified as they
stand is question which WILL of course, be duly
sidered BY those whose constitutional province is to de-
termine in what form they shall become parl OF the
preme law OF the land.
The means heretofore placed at the dsposaof the de-
paltment applicable 10 Indian purposes in California
have been maniiesty ina iequae. II is quite evident
that without the expenditures OF large OF money
our Indian affairs in California and Oregon cannot be
properly conducted; and. in this connexion, respectfully
suggest The policy of passing law establishing the Office
OF Assistant Commissioner OF Indian Affairs for that
State and Territory. A general and controlling power,
bear. is Of the highest Importance in the adjustment; Of
our relations with the numerous tribes OF Indians IN
those remote portions OF our wide spread domain
II will be from the reports o. the governor and
-ofcio superintendent OF Indian affairs in New Mexico
that material change has taken place in the condition
OF our Indian relations in tina, Territory since my las,
annual report. The apparently slow progress which has
been made in the work Of establishing friendly relations
with such Indians of the Territory a have been Tor
years punderiDg and numbering the inhabitants without
fear or restraint may be Justly attributed TO combination
oil circumstances which the officers oil this depart
ment have had control. The country itself, wild
desert, and mountainous the savage nature and untamcd
habits OF most OF the Indians who roam over il the
awlessnees OF many OF its other inhabitants often
reckless than the Indians themselves the scattered
Mixed and heterogeneous character OF its population in
general-a tend to produce a state OF things dscTedt
able and deplorable as to render its acquisition misfor
tune, and it's possession a reproach to the government
To remedy these evils liberal appropriations OF money
and more vigorous and untramnelled exercise OF
thory by the civil officers OF the Territory are indispen
sable.
The usefulness OF the agents in New Mexico has been
seriously impaired by their failure 10 obtain from the
military the usual facilities Without the means oil
transportation and the escorts necessary to enable them
TO penetrate the Indian country with safety, II has been
impossible for them 10 20 where their presence
needed and the good OF the service required Il always
to be desired that the utmost harmony and Of
action should prevail among the various officers and
agents OF the government in any way intrusted with the
management OF Indian affairs; and TO this end il has
been enoined the officers OF the army and the agents
Of this department in New Mexico TO consult together
ever this desirable object has been fully secured
can be, apprehend, until the OF the Territory
shall be IN fact what he IS in name-superIntendent Of
Indian affairs.
Pursuant to the provisions OF late OF Congress,
agent has been appointed for the Indians in Utah and
rtoy and our Indian relations therein be placed upon
proper footng the discretionary power vested by law in
the depar meni has been exercised by the appointment
ALSO of two sub agents Tor said Indians delegation
OF the Shoshonees, Snake Indians dsa6ccted and
mschevous tribe, nfestng OF the principal routes OF
the agen, TO the grand council recently held at Fort
Laramie with the wild tribes Of the praries These In
dams considered by the superintendent
braced in his instructions, and consequently not
parties 10 the treaty negotiated with the other tribes the
delegation, however, were kindly received, suitable
presents bestowed upon them and they returned 10
their people with more friendly feelings towards the
government and the whites. No other information Of
any importance has been received al this office
| ing the Indians in Utah
| The treaties recently concluded by Superintendent
Ramsey with the ,ChPPewas at Pemblna, and by Super.