The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-18
,oed 70 sell in each csse the half or more Of THAR

respective tracts
The Kickspoos Della ares, Sacs and Foxes Of
rIy to ell any portion of their lands; sDd although
the objections mace were OF trivial Character,
was unable TO remove the n
The Sacs and Foxes of Mississippi, who reside on
the Usage ri rer were divided; the Sacs were dssi
rous of selling s the land and the Foxes opposed ID
selling any portion OF it, But the latter, being mucn
les numerous than the former proposed finally an
equal division OF both land and annui'ies-
The Wyandots have only % $50 acres OF land, and
number $50 souls-less than so acres 70 cash soul.
Their tract is eligioy situated In the forks OF the
Kansas and the Missouri rivers, being the purchase
they made Of the Delawares. They advised me that
it was their desire, if the Territory Of Nebraska
should be organized, TO make such changes in their
polity ard their alton TO government to cosform
TO the new order OF things in the Territory but did
ng4 give me their views in relation to their lands.
Since piy return to Washington have received
a communication from the Sacs aud Foxes OF Mis-
souri, informing that they had determined to sell
one-balf Of their lands, and wished to be iaved to
the seat of government TO make q treaty. Their
agent, in letter of the same date expresses the
opinion that they will IN sll probability come to the
conclusion to dispose If the whole of ther tract by
the time the period arrives to make The treaty.
With several of toe tribes l could have conc uded
treaties but Only on condition that ca III should
serve for tribal home that part Of .hsr land ad-
joining the States. There are grave objections to
such policy, involving alike the interests aud ,esse
of the citizens of the States of those who may be
come residents Of the Terrtory-of the Indians
themselves From the disposition manifested by
some Indians of influence to acqulesce the views
submitted t. them on this pont, was of the Opin.
ion that with these tribes treaties terms IA
vorsble TO the government, and With provisions
more consistent with their perm snent welfare and
happiness, could be NJ ade, after they had had time
fer discussion and reflec ion. which some OF them
requested sh11lG be granted; and therefore deem
ed it best TO leave the subject with the N. and
fine myself to that braach of the instructions which
race IL my duty to explore the couDtry. and to OBJ
tain such iuforma ion "a should be Useful and from
which the daa could he obtained TO form, as near as
practicable, uniform system of treaties. OF the
pIopriety Of this course have DO n, donbt.
As general thing, the In adams who have been
transpanted from their former ab0des to the Indian
country seemed to have vivid recollection of the
assurances made to them st the time Of their remov
al, that their present locations should be their per-
manent homes. and that the white should never
interfere with them or their possessions.
This poct was prominently put forth By their
speakers III almost every council, and was earnest
ly, and sometimes eloquently, dwelt on in their
speeches.
been given them, and that in most instances their
lands had been secured to them by treaty long
they should exist tribe, but that their true in
terests required that these treaties should be
ce lied, and that new ones should be made adjusting
their rights and so disposing of them to conform
to the great and unexpected charges that had taken
place. | admoDished them that they had not appre-
cated the advantages that had surrounded them in
LneiI new HOLMES, b'ldt tile government Qau
appropriated large amounts of money to be expended
among them, Tor agricultural, educational, and reli
gious purposes; that missionary establishments aud
schools had been reared In their DIST, and that de-
voted men and women had left their homes and the
enjOyments and comforts of civilized life to dwell
with them prea hers and teachers and had labored
to win them from their wild estate and conduct them
in the paths Of civilization and religions that few of
them hsd listened adbering as they generally did to
the customs Of their fathers and the heather tradi
tons which had descended to them; that they had
preferred incidence To aborvce to virtue; that very
many Of them were the slaves Of intemperance, and
such was their thirst for ardent spirits that they
would make any sacrifice to obtain it; and that,
therefore, it was absolutely necessary In their pre-
sent ignorant and enfeebled condition, that they
should abandon their present possessions, and posi-
BILE, OBTAIN homes under the direction of their Great
Father, where they would be less liable to tempta-
ton, and where the efforts Of the government and
the labors Of the missionary would be exempt from
the endorsements which now surround them; and
that if they listened attentvey aud avorably it was
to be hoped that In time an Indian community might
be found in the enjoyment Of the blessings of cviliza
ton and religion, free from The slavish system Of
heather dolatry under which all their fathers lived
and to which large portion o! tn I'm appeared still
to be attached.
They we're shown that the acquisitions of Cali.
fornis, Oregon, and New Mexico, aud their rapid
settlemt Mt by the white children of their Great
Father, not favorable to them in their present
location, that they were in the paths which led to
these countries, AID that the almost innu nerable
emigrants who passed through the Indian country
we're goiug there 10 make far rs and towns that,
a consequence Of their jou,neying through the
ranges o! the buffalo that to them in their present
CONDITION, indispensable amin al furnishing them not
only at but with hides, their most valuable article
OF traffic wss appearing, and that he would be-
fore Tong leave the pranes, and they would not be
able TO fId him any more; that therefore they must
in q very short time abandon the hunt entirely, or
staIve and die on the plains; that they must make
up their minds to go to work as white men work;
and that, therefore, it was fit and proper time for
them to entertain and favoraby consider the propo
ton to dispose Of their present lands to their Great
Father and receive from HIM new homes.
At every council efforts were made to enlighten
the Indians, and TO impress their minds with the
true condition Of things around them. These efforts
were not without effect, as was apparent from the
me; and it is hoped and believed that this change
will continue to go until they will all see and de-
terrnne TO do that which best COMFORTS with their
future peace and happiness.
The cond ton Of these tribes is not as prosperous
as | was led to expect, aud am free to say that
they have not advanced as rapidly as it was antici-
pated they would when they were removed to their
present homes.
In some Of the tribes there are few medium far
mers with the necessary comforts, convenienees and
improvements OF the white men. In most Of the
tribes ard 10 greater bers to be found Those
Who have made rude improvements and fields, bu.
who have very few OF the cOnveniencee and comforts
of civilized life; while the great body of the Indians
are yet unwilling to submit themselves to labor, re-
sst it as unbeeomng and offensive, indulge in indo
lence, and seek every means and opportunity to %
tain wkskey, which they drink to excess.
There are some noble specimens who have re-
nounced the manners and customs of the Indians,
and adopfed those Of the white m An; and who, amid
the heathenisn that surrounds them have professed
the religion Of the Prince Of Peace and firmly main
tain their position and use all their influence to
claim and regeuerate their race.
In the various schools was enabled to visit,
found groups Of interesting Indian children, and f.om
examinations made by me, we'll as from the opin-
ions Of their teachers, am satisfied that the Iaiian
youth is capable Of equal mental culture with the
white, and will learn rapidly Everything ap-
peared TO be comfortable and in order about those
missionary schools, and the children receive fair
English education N sbem; and the females in addi.
tioD are taught needew ork, well az the ordinary
domestic work OF the mission house, and the males
taught the OF the nsso1 farm The children
unite morning ard evening with their 50 ritual in
structors and teachers 10 singing praises to tie Most
high, and bow down with toem 10 prayer AMI snp-
plcation. All this is done with cheerfuness ami
yUhe and inn for fha f,uif nf