The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-09
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Office OF Indian Affairs, Nov. 8, Isl

your communication of the 18th August last informing
me that the President had indicated the officer OF
the Indian Department TO whom was ntrus,ed the duty
OF conducting the negotiations with the Indian tribes
OF the States OF Missouri and Iowa, authorized BY
the second section OF the act OF Congress OF the 81 OF
March, 1853. Immediately left Washington and repaired
TO the Indian country to discharge the preliminary duties
embraced in my instructions, and now beg leave respect
That entered the Indian country on the ed of Sepem.
Der, and left il the l1th OF October, having occupied
the intervening time in visiting and talking with various
tribes, and obtaining from all sources OF credit within
my reach such information might be useful and neces-
say in forming the basis OF the treaties contemplated by
the act OF Congress.
found OF the people discussing with considerable
warmth, in the press and otherwise the question whether
that couaty was not then open 10 occupation and settle
by the citizens OF the United States and in some in
those who held to the right 10 settle in the Indian
country had gone TO explore IT, with the intention to
locate in. This discussion and the exploration had a
very uDfavorabe influence on the lndian mind. The
Indians alarmed Reports reached them that large
bodies OF whites coming into their country to take
possession of and drive them from it. Many OF them
were contemplating the necessity of defending tAem-
selves and the proposition was abroad among some OF the
Indians for grand council, which they should las
said 10 me) light up their fires after The old Indian
fashions" and confederate for defence.
From the time the original Indian title to the country
extnguished under the authority of the act Of 2sh
May, 1880, and the tribes rausplanled from the States
and rerrlories east OF the Mssisspp and located it,
until alter the adjournment OF The last Congress- u bad
always been considered country apart and dedicated
deslood before that time, that person other than
Indian could reside there except BY permission OF the
government, and for specific purpose.
The enumeration, therefore, OF the opinion that the
country was open 10 occupation and settlement, at the
lime it promulgated, most unfortunate.
Congress had just before by aci OF the 81 OF March,
directed the President TO enter negotiations with the
Indian tribes OF the States OF Missouri and Iowa. for
the purpose OF securing the assent OF said tribes 10 The
settlement OF the citizens OF the United States upon the
lands claimed by them and tor the purpose OF exhnguish
found 1t very difficult quiet the Indians and was
unable fully 10 restore some OF these people to the tran
qui condition they in before this discussion OF The
subject and exploration OF their country commenced
10 many councils The eject of this enumeration evil
dent aud in some instances was unable while IN coun-
c obtain the calm consideration OF the Indians 10 the
subeci-matter OF my talk owing 10 the excited state OF
their minds, resulting from appre tensions that their
Try about 10 be taken from them whou, their con-
sent and without any consideration being paid Them for
it, And some supposed that the object OF my visit
was 10 iavor such design
As progressed in my journey, and the councils which
held with various tribes increased in number. was
happy to perceive better state OF feelings willingness
to listen, 10 be advised, and an assurance OF confidence
and dependence their Great Father, and determine
ton 10 receive favoraby The message bore IRON him to
them.
While in the Indian country | held councils with the
O.Dahas, Otoes and Missourians, Sacs and Foxes OF
Missouri; kckapoos Delawares. Wyandotts, Shawnees,
poi,a aomes, Sscs and Foxes OF the Mississippi; Chip
pewss oil Swan creek and Black river; Oawas Peorss
aud Kask askas Weas and Piankashaws, and Miams.
was DESTROYS OF seeing and talking with the Pawnees,
Kansas, Osages, Quapaws Senecas, and Shawness and
Senecas, but found II Impossible 10 do 30 without SPEND
ing time in the country than was deemed consistent
with my duties al WashiDgton, in view OF the ap
proach OF the meeting OF Congress.
The aggregate population OF the Tribes with whom
held council, according the best data, IL 3s4 souls
and the aggregate quantity Of land held by them is est
mailed al l322o4s0 acres, or about 9lo acres 10 each
sonl.
The aggregate population OF the Pawnees. Kansas.
Osages Quapaws, Senecas and Snawnees and Senecas,
according TO the same data IL II 5s7 souls, and the ag
399. 200 acres, or about ,5s6 to each soul
All the tribes that visited and talked with, except the
Omahas, Ouoes and Missourians, are Indians who
removed from Ohio and other western States to the
Indian country, and located there specific grants OF
land, in pursuance OF treaty stpulsons, and with the
express understanding that their present TO be their
permanent homes 80 long as they existed as tribes or
nations.
In some treaties il provided that patents should
issue to Them but IN no case was The power alienation
granted, or any provision made by which the lands could
be divided and held in severaty.
Every tribe with whom held council. with the excep-
lion of the Wcas and Pankasbaws and the Peorias and
askas who only 1885, 600 acres, and the Shaw
nees. refused TO dispose Of portion OF their land.
their first response TO my talk. The small tribes above
named proposed at once 10 dispose OF the most OF their
land, and ntmated that II they could make satisfactory
arrangements for home they would cell the whole OF il
The Shawnees, their only reply. proposed to sell the
United States 1000 900 OF rescrving to themselves
600 900 adjoining the Stale OF Missouri. They
nu nber some 900 souls.
The Chppewas, who own s,32o acres and number 30
souls, and the Ottowss, who "a 900 and
Der 247 souls, declined to dispose Of their lands any
portion of them, ground that they were pleased
with their location desired to remain, and thought, m
view OF the amount OF prairie land in their grants, they
had greater quantity than was essay for them, or
than the number Of white people would require
The Omahas, O.toes, Mssourans, 10 VAS and Miams
Determined before Their respective councils closed, TO
SELL in each case, the half more OF their respective
tracts.
The Kickapooe, DeIawares, Sacs and Foxes OF Mis-.
souri, and the Pottawatomies refused peremporly 10
-. I~uA u,I ~lth
tons made were OF trivial character, was unable 10
remove them.
The Sacs and Foxes Of Mississippi. who reside on the
Osaee river, were divided the Sacs DESTROYS of
selling all the land. and The Foxes opposed selling any
portion OF IT, Bst the latter being much less numerous
than the former, proposed finally an equal oil both
land and annuties.
The Wyando,ts have only % 300 acres Of land. and
number $50 souIs-ess than hfty acres Ia each soul
Their tract is eI,giby situated IN the forks OF the Kan
and the Missouri rivers being the purchase they made
OF the Deawares They advised me that il their de-
sire, il the Territory OF Nebraska should be organized 10
make such changes in their polty and their relation to
government 10 conform the order OF things ia
the Territory, but did not give me their views in relation
10 their lands
Since my return to Washington have received com.
municaton from the Sacs and Foxes OF Missoar inform
thai they had determined TO sell one-half of their
lands and wished be invited to the Of government
10 make treaty Their agent, IN letter OF the same
date expresses the opinion that they will in all proba
b,y the conclusion 10 dispose of the whole oi
their tract by the time the period arrives 10 make the
treaty.
With several Of the tribes could have concluded