The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-21
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS
.ccoMPANYING THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Annual Report Of the Indian Department.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
iuJ, A

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Office Indian Affairs November 10, 1854
sk Among the errors tina, abound respecting In
a,an relations there is injurious 10 our national
reputation that il should not be disreEarded The opln
sn i extensively entertained that whole OF
soaduc, towards the red OF this country has been
marked by injustice and lnhnmanlty. An enlightened
consdsraiion OF the subject will lead to different
When civilization and barbarsm are brought in such
,.a,on that they cOexis together. is right
hi ths OF The former should be asserted aad
lbe latter compelled give way II is, therefore. no
matter OF regret reproaeh that so large portion Of our
sory has been wresed from i's nIs.na. innapHa!s'
ian people That the means employed to effect TINS
srand sasalt have mol always been just that the
. I. by ass. q maae ssss !.
indeed no earthly record But will not be forgotten by
those who have correct understanding OF this subject
Ma, much of the njary OF which the red man and his
friends complain has heen the inevitable consequence OF
hs own perverse and vicious nature. Ia the long and
varied conflict between the white and the redciv
l;zsion and arbar snthe former has often been
ed 10 recede and be destroyed 10 advance and de-
trov The history OF the contest however, bears wit
ness 10 the fact that the vcor has general manifested
= asmnroys his condition II would be difficult task to
oount the enormous OF money that have been ex
pended by the government and by phlanhopic indvld-
uals their manifold efforts to reclaiM and cvllize the
Indians within limits and who can fail to remember
with reverence and regret he neble army OF martyrs
who have sacrificed themselves in this holy cause The
results is true have no, been commensurate with the
means employed but enough has been achieved TO at
test the pTaccabity of the Indians redemption, and TO
simulate to further and evering exerons 10 accom-
plish The work. IS a
and who are closely connected with US through the
medium of sgenr, continue 10 receive heahiul impulses
towards higher and better condition. And even those
who are more wild and less inclined TO cast OFT their in
deenous habits OF Incidence and improydence begin
ming to profit by the good example OF the other class
The smbaassmen's to which they are subjected in con
seouence of the onward pressure Of the whites grad
y teaching them The important lesson that they must
ere long change their mode OF life cease to live at all
10 BY industry or extinction that The problem of their
destiny must be solved.
One OF the surest guarantees for the good conduct OF
our Indians 10 adequate knowledge of the power Of
lhe government Where such knowledge prevails il is
comparatively easy TO control them but, when displays
Of our power have been feeble fful the natural ten
dnces OF the Indian 10 apine and slaughter operate with
but little restraint.
In the extension OF our settlements, and the increasing
intercouras between Atlantic and Pacific possessions,
much opportunity ia afforded the aborgnes OF the inie
nor to learn the truth concerning us. And il is only
where this opportunity is wanting. or where there has
Of our superior streagh, that disposition is found 10
ihwart the policy or provoke the hostility OF the govern
msnt. II at l9as 8s,ss1s
relations have suffered through Incidence, vice. and an
obstinate adherence to aboriginal modes and habits il is
gratifying 70 know that majority OF them are subsian
iaiiy improving ih<ir condition and Notwithstanding
their suerings many have doubtless been
psrheps tbs wisdom they have thus acquired has not
been purchased TOO dearly. Deep-seated maades can
b pemedied by superficial cuatves and has been
the work OF hunger disease. and death 10 the
survivors, perception OF the only conditions upon which
human lfsand comfort can be sustained on earth.
The mission and other schools established among st the
various tribes generally prosperous. especially those
in which the principle OF manual labor is leading lea
srs, As mpatience of regular labor, exhibited in I'M
aeadpess Of application is the radical defect OF the ln
dan chsraeter. but dictate OF common to ad
dsns ourselves first and mainly 10 its correction THIS
e6eced Foundation is laid upon which best hopes
ioE the reclamation OF the savage may be safely built
Without H. no matter 10 what extent we may educate a
lew individuals of tribe. lasting good is rarely pro-
duced.
The merely book taught Indian if the radical failure
be unreformed almost certain TO resume al length the
barbarism OF his original condition, deriving no other
advantage from his requirements Than more refined
cunning and greater ability to concoci and perperale
schemes OF mischief and violence.
The dissensions among the Seneca Indians in New
York, respecting their form OF government having
samed serious aspect the President July last directed
that steps should be taken ascertain the Of the
nation on ihe subject, An election was accordingly held,
which all the cast in favor OF The reesab-
shment Of the old system OF government BY chiefs But
The number OF votes was ony 1874, while The whole mum
Der OF voters the several reservations amounted to co.,
and appears that those in favor OF maintaining The
present elective government unanimously relased to at
Tend se polls. This they did on The ground that would
be wrong 10 take part any revolutionary proceeding,
a. their constitution provides that shall stand un-
changed for least hve years The result OF The cleo
bon being satisfactory, the quesuon, Whicn form OF
shall be recognized the choice OF the peo-
pie, has not yet been decided.
The Indians in the State OF Michigan are generally
doing we'll They becoming sober, orderly, and IN
dusrious people, devong themselves TO the cultivation
OF the soil Their agricultural operations have been
crowned with their proper rewards Education is en-.
courased amongst them, and they making commenda
Bile progress the knowledge and practice OF the arts OF
civilized lite. Similar remarks are equally applicable 10
the Oneida Indians, in the State OF Wisconsin.
BY the treaty nj ls4s with the Stock bridges it is pro-
vded 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
veasde not less than sevenywo sections, said Indians
10 be consulted 10 the location OF said land This pro-
vision has not yet been carried into effect and the affairs
OF these Indians very unsettled and embarrass
ing condition They were anxious be located the
land about the mouth Of the Vermllon river, the Ter
rtory OF Minnesota but the selection not approved
by the government and they have more recently ex-
pressed Willingness 10 accept tract on the Grow rver
in that Territory The treaties with the Sioux Indians
being ratified there to be good reason Tor
not complying with their present views but the season
too far advanced 10 make the arrangements required
before the ensuing spring
The removal OF the Menomonees, as contemplated by
act Of Congress- passed the last session. has been
satisfactorily effected The whole tribe concen.
lIaed the designated territory, between the Wolf and
Oconto rivers. location with which they are well
pleased and where they anxious TO be permitted per-
naneny 10 remain Should this he assented TO BY the
legislature OF Wisconsin, The arrangements necessary to
effect The object be readily made, eims, is be
sved. mutually advantageous TO the Indians and the gov
well suited 10 their wants and know OF none 10 which
they could with prepriey be removed and where they
would, al the came time, be 40 little in the of our
white population Wherever they may be settled. il will
be incumbent Congress- 10 make fnrtner provision o
,hem their claims appeal strongly TO The justice and
Anpon nn,t. rf q H.