Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-18
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INDIAN DEPARTMENT.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

SIR: Among the errors that abound respecting oul
Indian relations there is injurious to natona
reputation that il should not be dsPegarded The opinion
is extensively entertained that whole course of con
towards the red of this country has marked
by injustice and inhumanity An enlightened consdera
ton of the subject viii lead to different conclusion
When civilization and barbarism are brought in such
relation that they coexist together it is right
that the superiority of the former should be asserted and
the latter compelled to give way. 1t is therefore, nc
of regret reproach that large portion Of
territory has been wresed from its aboriginal inhabitants
and made the happy abode Of enlightened and chris
tan people That the means employed to effect this
grand result have not always been just that the
test has been attended BY vast amount Of human suffer
ing cannot BE denied OF the Indians wrongs there is
indeed no earthly record But il win not be forgotten by
those who have understanding of this subject
that much of the injury Of which the red and his
friends complain has been the inevitable consequence of
his own peryerse and vicious nature In the long and
varied conflict between the white man and the redciy-
lixation and barbarsmthe former has often been
PEELED reced and be destroyed to advance and de-
strop The history Of the contest however bears witness
to the fact that the victor has in general manifested
generous desire not only spare the yanquished but
improve his condition. II would be difficult task to
count the enormous of money that have been ex-
pended By the Government and by philanthropc indvd
nails in their manifold efforts to reclaim and civze the
Indians within our limits and who fail to remember
with reverence and regret the neble army of martyrs
who have sacrificed themselves iii this holy The
results true have been with the
means eployed enough has been achieved to attest
the practicabty Of the Indians redemption and to sti
muae to further and perseverng exerons accomplish
the work,
Those tribes with whom we have treaty engagements
aud who closely connected with through the
medium Of agents continue to receive heahu impulses
towards higher and better condition And even those
who are more Wild and less inclined to cast off their ndi-
genog habits OF Incidence and improvdence, are begin
ming profit by good example of the other class The
embarrassment which they subjected in conse-
quence Of the onward pressure of the whites are gradually
teaching them the important lesson that they must ere
long change their mode Of life cease to live at all It
is BY industry extinction that the problem of their des
tiny mpst be solved.
One Of the guarantees for the good conduct of
our Indians is adequate knowledge the power Of the
Government Where such knowledge prevails it is com
paratiyey easy control them but when displays Of
our power have been feeble fuk the natural tenden
ces If tie Indian to rane and slaughter operate with
but little restraint.
In tie extension Of settlements and the increasing
intercourse bgween our atlantic and Pacific possessions
much opportunity is afforded the aborgnes of the nte
rior to learn the truth concerning And il is only
where this opportunity IS wanting, where there has
been remissness part make proper exhibitions
OF superior strength, that disposition found to
thwart the policy provoke the hostility Of the Govern
ment.
Though some of TIE tribes with whom we have treaty
relations have suffered through Incidence, vice, and
obstinate adherence TO aboriginal modes and habits
il is gratifying TO know that majority of them are sub
stantially improving their condition. and notwthstand
ing their suerings in many have doubtless been
severe perhaps the wisdom they have thus acquired has
not been purchased too dearly Deep-seated maladies
be remedied by superficial curayes and il has
been the work Of hunger disease and death
the survivors perception Of the only conditions upon
which human life and comfort be sustained on earth
The mission and other schools established amongst the
various tribes generally prosperous especially those
in which the principle Of manual labor is leading fea
ture As impotence Of regular labor exhibited in un-
seadness OF application is the radical defect OF the In
dian character il is but dictate Of to
address ourselves first and mainly 10 its correction This
effected foundation is laid upon which our best hopes
for the reclamation Of the savage may be safely built
Without it. matter 10 what extent may educate
few individuals Of tribe lasting good rarely produced
The merely book-taught Indian, if the radical failure
be unreformed is almost certain to at length
the barbarism Of his original condition. deriving other
advantage from his requirements than a refined
cunning and greater ability 10 concoct and perpetrate
schemes Of mischief and violence
The dssensions among the Seneca Indians in New York
respecting their form Of government having assumed
serious aspect the President in July last directed that
steps should be taken 20 ascertain the Of the nation
on the subject An election accordingly held, at
whitehall the in favor Of the re-esabsh
men Of the old system Of government by chiefs But the
number Of yots was only 1874, while the whole number
OF the several reservations TO 664 and
il appears that those in favor Of maintaining the
elective government unanimously refused 10 attend the
polls This they did the ground that il would be
wrong take part in any revolutionary proceeding
their constitution provides that il shall stand unchanged
for at least FIVE years. The result Of the election
being satisfactory the question which form Of government
shall be recognised the choice Of the people has yet
been decided.
The Indians in the State Of Michigan are generally
doing well They becoming sober, orderly, and in
dusrious people doyoting themselves to the cultivation
Of the soil. Their agricultural operations have beer
crowned with their proper rewards. Education is en-
couraged amongst them, and they making ccmmenda
be progress in the knosedge and practice Of the arts
civilized life Similar remarks equally applicable n
the Oneida Indians, in the State Of Wisconsin.
By the treaty Of lsss with the Stockbr1ges It'll provided
that the President within years from the date Of the
treaty shall procure for their quantity Of land west
Of the Mississippi river, which they shall reside, not
less than seventy sections said Indians to be consult
cd the location Of said land This provision has not
yet been carried into effect and the affairs Of these In
dams in very unsettled and embarrassing condition
They anxious 70 be located the land about the
mouth OF the fJfmon river in the Territory Of Mime
sofa but the selection not approved by the Govern
ment, and they have recently expressed willing
accept tract the Crow river that Territory
The treaties with the Sioux Indians being now ratified
there TO be good for not complynp with
their present views but the Is far advance
10 make the arrangements required before the ensun,
spring.
The removal Of the Menomonees, rs contemplated i,
an act OF Congress passed the last session has beer
satisfactorily effected The whole tribe now concen
raed on the designated territory between the Wolf an
Oconto rivers location with which they well pleased
and where they anxious TO be permitted permanent
70 remain Should this be assented to by the legislator
Of Wisconsin the arrangements necessary 70 effect Oh
object can be readily made, terms, IL is believed
tuay advantageous TO the Indians and the Government