Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-23

! Of civil government in the Indian country;
! but those that cannot be overcome are not to
be compared TO the advantages which will flow
to the Indians from such q measure, with trea-
ties to conform TO the new order of things. and
suitable laws for their protection.
In addition to this, the preparation of a large
district OF that country Tor settlement, by the
removal of the Indians, would open up, in q
most desirable locality homes for the enter
| prising and hardy pioneers who arc ready to
occupy it, and by their energies speedily found
State, the beneficial influences of which, from
its position, would be Of incaculable advantage
to the Indian, as well as the government and
people of the United States.
1t is respectfully suggested that the sum Of
money appropriated by Congress at the last
j session is not deemed adequate, in view Of the
extent and magnitude of the objects contem-
plated; and it is recommended that further
appropriation be made early in the next session
for the purpose Of treating with the tribes indi-
Gated by the law of the last session, and an
extension of that authority, so that treaties, if
deemed necessary, either to supply the emf
| grated tribes with new homes, or otherwise,
may be made with the other Indians in what is
known as Nebraska. These treaties can, it is
believed, all be made in the months of April
and May next, and submitted to the Senate in
ample time for Congress to establish civil
government at its next session.
AS stated in the last annual report, the ne
/ gotiations with the Camanches Kioways, and
4 other Indians on the Arkansas river, contem-
plated by an act passed at the preceding ses-
sion of Congress, had necessarily to be post
poned till the present season. At suitable
period last spring they were confided to the
agent in that quarter. He was also charged
with the duty of procuring, from such of the
Indians of his agency as were parties to the
treaty of Fort Laramie, their assent to the
amendment made to that treaty by the Senate !;
whereby the supplies of goods, provisions, and
other articles of necessity, originally agreed to
, be furnished them annually for period Of
fifty, were limited to the shorter term of ten
years. The act of the Sd Of March last, max
ing the appropriation for the second of these in
stalments, provided that the same should not
be paid to the Indians until they had assented
to the Senates amendment; and the agent was
instructed accordingly. The report of this
J officer herewith transmitted, evidences the
satisfactory manner in which he has dis
charged the important duties confded to him
in this connection, and as containing highly
valuable information touching our relations
with the prairie and mountain tribes, and
grave suggestions relative to our future policy
in reference to them, commends itself to the
attention and consideration of all who may
, take an interest in the future of this unfortu-
!, nate class of our Indian population.
!, There is but single agent for all the Indi-
j ans of the Upper Arkansas and Platte rivers,
and the immense region lying between them
I and between our frontier tribes and the Rocky
mountains. From the great extent Of this
r agency, the numerous Indians within it, and
) the extreme distance between the larger bodies
. of them, it is wholly beyond the power of one
E person to manage, whatever may be his quail
, fcations. The Indians of the Arkansas, con-
sisting of the northern .Camanches, Kioways,
! and others, are numerous, mischievously in
: clined, and infest the direct route to Santa Fe
Their intercourse with the Indians of New
Mexico is of decidedly evil tendency and they
either take part in the annual predatory expe-
ditions into the frontier provinces Of the Next
can republic, or are, to a considerable extent,
, the agents and instruments through which
those engaged in these lawless forays dispose of
their il-gotten plumber For the purpose of ex-
ercising some degree Of influence over and, as
far as possible, controlling them, separate
agent located in their vicinity, is indispensably
| necessary. For like reasons, and for the better
: protection of our overland emigrants to Cali
, fornia and Oregon, separate agent is likewise
required for the Indians on the upper waters of
the Platte river. Therefore respectfully renew
: Of Indian Affairs, that this agency be divided
, and another agent appointed.
! Several topics of interest connected with the
{ semi-civilized tribes of the southern superin
: tendency are deserving of special notice. Dur
, ing the past summer several of them, but more
} particularly the Cherokees and Creeks, sent
I delegates to attend general council, concerted
among themselves, to be held with the Ca
manches and other wild tribes Of the praries !;
the object Of which was to compromise appre-
hended difficulties likely to arise out Of depre-
dations and other outrages committed by the
latter, and to come to some agreement for the
establishment of peaceful relations between
them in future. 1t was the intention of the
more enlightened tribes to seize this opportu-
nifty of endeavoring to make salutary impress
sion upon their wilder brethren, by fully repre-
senting to them their relations to the United
r States, our power to chastise and punish them
for their aggressions, and the consequent me-
, cessity of their remaining peaceabe and friend
ly, as well with our citizens as with other tribes
High waters and other unfavorable circum-
) stances preventing full attendance from the
: various tribes expected to be represented, the
7 meeting proved too Insignificant to Justify an
expectation of any very fattering results; yet
the excellent motive by which our border tribes
! were actuated that participated in this move
-
, government. general council of this kind
! and for like objects, under the immediate aus
pices and patronage of the government, is
! highly desirable, and respectfully recommend
!, an application to Congress for a small appro
priation for the purpose.
The Cherokees, DESTROYS Of multiplying their
! already numerous schools, and thus TO diffuse
more widely and more rapidly the blessings of
education, and anxious to discharge themselves
Of an onerous public debt--in part contracted,
J it is believed, for the above object-manifested
desire, in order to obtain means for those
commendable purposes, to retroceed to the GO
vernment the tract of eight hundred thousand
acres of land, added to their former posses
sions by the treaty Of New Echota; but the de-
legation from the tribe. after several interviews
with the department last spring, withdrew the
proposition. It is supposed, however, that IT
, will be renewed during the approaching winter.
This tract which nroects north aon o. tho western