Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-24

'tary force in the distant territories occupied by
these Indians, would far more than suffice, even
for the first few and most expensive years of the
system, for the whole cost of concentrating and
sustaining the Indians in the manner suggest
ed. As the only apparent practicable and hui
name arrangement, calculated to remedy exist
ing evils and to prevent future calamityto these
people, | feel constrained to give 1t my earnest
Recommendation. Ii has already been IN part
sanctioned in regard to the Indians IN Caliior-
MIA, and during the present year 1t has been
tried with a portion of those IN New Mexico
with an encouraging degree OF success. In
deed, the history and condition OF the Pueblo In
dams amply attest its entire practicability. 1t
is strongly recommended for the Indians in
Texas by our experienced and efficient princi-
pal agent there, who states that he has con-
suited them upon the subject, that some are
anxious for the adoption of such system, and
that all would gladly yield and submit to it.
He indicates particular districts of country as
suitable for fixed locations for them, and fur
nishes an estimate Of the cost of concentrating
and maintaining them for the first year, as fol-
lows:
LIST. Southern Cumanches: for subsist-
ence, agricultural implements, seeds,
wagons, and oxen, stock cattle,
blacksmith work, and contingent
expenses S2s,slO
ID. Ionies, Ana-dah-kas, Wacoes, Tab
wah.carros, and Wichetas, the same 2S,Sl0
Sd. Ton-kahues, Lipans, and Musale-
ros. the same 2S,SlO
In all s6,430
The districts designated by the agents are
within the boundary Of Texas, Eut remote from
any Of the settlements, and presenting but little
inducement for white population. It would
be essential to the success Of the plan, however,
that the United States be invested with ex-
elusive jurisdiction and supreme control over
the reservations, in order effectually to protect
the Indians from unlawful intrusions, to guard
against improper intercourse between them and
the whites, and especially to prevent the intro
duction into their midst of that curse of their
race, ardent spirits.
But few outrages of an aggravated character
have been reported as having occurred among
the Indians in New Mexico since the last an
nual report. In the early part Of the present
season, the late governor and Superintendent
of Indian Affairs there formed the project Of re-
moving all the Indians that were within that
part of the territory extending from its south
ern and eastern boundary to the Arkansas on
the north, and the Rio Grande on the west, and
colonizing them, in suitable locations, on the
west side of the last-named river. Such of
them as were consulted upon the subject
readily assented to the proposition, and small
portion were removed accordingly, and arrange,
ments made for furnishing them with limited
supply of subsistence, until the crops which
were planted for their benefit could mature. They
remained quiet and peaceable, and manifested a
proper disposition to aid and assist in the ag-
ricultural labor. But no such enterprise having
been sanctioned by Congress or the executive,
and the very limited means provided for the
Indian service in the territory being entirely
inadequate, this Office felt constrained to order a
suspension of further proceedings until the
whole subject could be fully considered, the
best course of permanent policy determined,
and the means necessary to carry it out pro-
vided The present governor and superinten-
dent suggests and recommends different ar
rangement-that cessions be obtained from all
the Indians in the territory of their lands in the
vicinity of the white settlement, and annuities
in money allowed them therefor, out of which
payment shall regularly be made for all the
depredations which the Indians may commit.
He thinks that this plan would be the most
economical, and that the constant liability to
this tax upon their annuities would restrain the
Indians from the preparation of their usual
outrages upon our citizens. To such an ar
.rangement, however, there are grave objections.
Paying for depredations committed by In
dams out Of their annuities, instead cooperating
as check upon them, serves, with the viciously
inclined, rather as an incentive to the practice.
The criminal alone is not made to pay the pen
alty, rs, in all cases of any consequence, his
proportion of the annuity is wholly inadequate
for that purpose. The loss falls upon the whole
tribe in common-the innocent and well-dis-
posed being made to suffer equally with the
guilty the latter reaps all the advantage of
his crime, and pays only an inconsiderable
pro rata part of the compensation made. Nor
do the Indians feel the effect Of the penalty at
the time of the preparation of the offence,
when, if at all, it would be best calculated to
make salutary impression. The payment is
made by the government for the depreciation
out Of their annuities, but they do not realize
the fact until their funds are distributed
months probably after the offence-which being
then forgotten or but little thought of the deduc
ton from their funds is regarded rs an act Of
hardship and injustice.
At the last session Of Congress an appropri
alton of $4,000 was made to defray the ex
penses Of removing the Indians in California to
!" five military reservations" Of not more than
twenty-five thousand acres each, and subsisting
them there, should the President Of the United
States approve this plan of operations. Ithav,
ing received his sanction, suitable instructions
for carrying it into effect we're promptly issued
to the superintendent of Indian affairs for that
State, then in this city; but in consequence Of
the length of time unfortunately consumed in
his overland journey, the requisite initiatory
measures for that purpose have been somewhat
da1ayad Rapnrfs ttran he en- hiacf haya only
been recently received from him, copies Of
which are appended. regret to say that these
reports make known a state of things much less
favorable, with respect to the practicability, ex-
pense, and probable success of this plan of OPP
erations, than was anticipated from the infor-
nation possessed when it was authorized by
Congress and sanctioned by the President. 1t
appears that suitable locations cannot be found
or cannot properly be made in North California
for the Indians in that quarter. Their re-
moval and colonization will, therefore, it is
apprehended, be attended with greater diff
Guilty and expense than was expected. And
instead of thara heiup amnla tarritory for tha