The republic., 1851-12-12
THE REPUBLIC.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF IN
DIAN AFFAIRS.

STA: The limits Of report OF hs description will
admit only of very general and summary view
Of the condition Of our Indian affairs, and the oPe-
rations Of this branch Of the public service during
the last twelve months. For detailed information
reference must be had TO the documents herewith,
consisting of the reports agents,
missionaries, and others, which contain mass OF
facts and speculations, curious, interesting, and
important.
In the last annual report from this Office alluson
was made to mutual aggressions the part Of tho
Sioux and Chippewas, attended by melancholy IN
eidents Of Indian barbarity and folly. In despite
Of all efforts prevent it, similar occurrences have
taken place within the last year, by which both
tribes have suffered lesa from depredationS
upon their property, aad in the murder OF num-
Der of their men, women, and children.
4 No treaty arrangements among themselves ap-
pear 10 be regarded, or are OF sufhclent force 10
prevent the deadly enmity which exists between
| the two tribes from manifesting itsef, often
opportunity offers, in the most shocking atrocities
With this exception, gratifying degree OF order
has prevailed among all the tribes with whom we
have defined and established relations, and who
have felt the controlling influence OF the Govern
ment in directing their pursuits, and IN the man
agement of their affairs. Towards our own citi-
zens all have been peaceful and friendly. Most OF
them have readily yielded to the policy and mea-
sures of the Department for the Improvement oil
their condition; and such are the advances many
of them have made in civilization, that flattering
encoura genent ia not only afforded for contin-
ued effort on the part OF the Government aud
it's agents among them, but on the part also oil
benevolent Christian missionaries, who with com
mepdabe and self sacrificing spirit, have been en-
gagged in imparting to the various tribes the DIVINE
truths OF Christianity.
During the past summer treaties have been made
with various bands of the Sioux Indiana by which
they cede large and valuable extent OF country
west of the Mississippi river in the Territory OF
Minnesota, and State of Iowa. To the treaties
themselves and the report of the commissioners on
| the of the Government by whom they were
effected, you respectfully referred for detailed
information concerning these important negotla-
tions. In view of the rapid spread of the white
population in the State and Territory within which
the lands acquired by these treaties are situated
the growing discomfort among the wariike Indians
from whom they are acknowledgements as they
often are in difficulties with the Chippewas, and
threatening more and more the peace OF the IRON
tier in that quarter-the extinguishment OF their
title to the lands now ceded, has long been sub
ect of serious consideration and desire by the Gov
ernmcnt
A considerable number of the Chippewas, who
had continued TO reside on the ceded lands east OF
the Mississippi, in Wisconsin and Minnesota, since
the treaties of 1897 and 1912, have been removed
during the present year. Indeed. with the excep-
tion Of the Anse and Veux Desert bands together
with portion of the Pelican Lake and Wisconsin
River bands, an entire removal has been effected.
The chiefs and about one half ofthe two last named
, bands have emigrated. The remainder with the
, Veux Desert band, were recently reported as sui
fering severely from smallpox and measles This,
with other causes, will prevent any attempt to re-
move them until the coming spring, when, 1t ls
believed, such Of them it may be expedient to re-
8 move can easily be induced to emgrate The num-
Der removed this year is reported to be three thou
slnd; and, including the Anse band 1t is supposed
that only seven hundred remain on the ceded lands
: approximations. however, are entertained that by
reason u 10 proximity Of thcee who have rerhoved
to their Old hunting grounds, they will return ia con-
siderable numbers, and not only again molest our
citizens but be reduced to destituton and want as
in such event they will forfeit their annuies and
: have to depend alone the wild products OF the
. country, which now so nearly exhausted as not
to afford them the of subsistence. The same
view OF this subject induced me heretofore to re-
commend that efforts be made to concentrate them
within proper limits west OF the Mississippi where,
with additional means beyond those already pro-
vided, arrangements could be mace 10 inToouce
among them system OF education, embracing the
knowledge and practice OF agriculture and the sm.
B pier mechanic arts But, as the country referred
to not the common property oil the whole tribe,
part of belonging exclusively to particular bands
who are not parties TO any treaties, and who re-
ceive no annuties material aid from the United
States, it was also recommended that Congress be
asked for an appropriation to defray the expense OF
negotiating with all the bands for the purpose Of
acquiring such portions of the country on the east
side of the Mississippi might be required to sup
ply the wants of our white population; providing,
ALSO that the whole of their remaining lands, toge
ther with their present and future means, should be
the common property OF the enure tribe; ana that
as large proportion OF their funds as practlcaple
should be set apart and applied in such manner as
best to secure their comfort, and mo5t rapidly ad-
vance them in civilization and prosperity NO &C
, tion bad upon this recommendation, owing
mainly ii is believed to the shorness oil the session
and the pressure of business upon both Congress
and the Department. now, therefore, renew the
recommendation, satisfied that the policy thus
briefly referred to is not only best calculated TO pro-
mote the future welfare Of this large and interest
ing tribe, but is necessary to save them from actual
starvation, as the game on which they mainly de-
pend for the means OF living Is fast disappearing
and cannot much longer afford them support.
BY permission of the President, the Menomonees
still remain on the lands in Wisconsin ceded by
them under the provisions of their treaty OF lS4S
with the United States. In that treaty il was stlp-
ulated that they TO be permitted to remain
two years from the date thereof, and until they
were notified by the President that the lands were
wanted by the Government 10 induce them to
remove to tho country in Minnesota assigned TO
them by the treaty, it was also stipulated that 1t
should be explored by suitable delegation to be
selected for that purpose, lhis exploration took
place in the summer OF 1850, but, from representa-
tions made to the Department. il appears that the
Indians, previously dissatisfied with the treaty,
dissatisfied also with the country assigned to
them, and manifest the greatest reluctance TO re-
move The fall of last year was the period liked
upon for their removal, but, owing to their urgent
appeals and those ofmany OF the whites in their ion.
mediate vicinity, and in consideration OF their
peaceful habits, the President granted them per-
mission to remain until the first of June of the
present year. At the expiration of this aet.
mined period, it being known that they had
made no arrangements, and were in no con
dtion to emigrate, the President again, at their
earnest solicitation, consented that they might re-
main a twelvemonth longer, on condition, how
ever, that they should not interfere with the public
surveys. and with the distinct understanding that
this extension of time was to be considered an act
Of favor, they being still subject to removal at his
> dscreon; and of this Superintendent Moray was
instructed to take that they should be fully
advised. OF the nature of their alleged grievances
the superintendent was also informed, and he was
directed by instructions from this Department Of
the 4h June last at early period practicable.
: to acquaint himself thoroughly in regard to their
condition, and to make full report thereof In
order, too, that the President might act advisedly
on their petition TO occupy permanently part
Of the ceded territory, the superintendent was
also instructed to examine the country; to re-
port all the facts bearing on this particular
subject, and TO furnish all other information
necessary to correct understanding Of the
course Of policy proper to be pursued in regard
To the future disposition and management OF the
tribe. In pursuance of these instructions, the
perindendent has reported in favor of their being
permitted to remain in Wisconsin on a particular
tract of limited extent, more remote from the