The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-10

would therefore, be far BETTER 70 permit Them 70 CON
troll it. than TO introduce conflict Of jurisdiction, which
might lead to disastrous eonseq uences.
Although it s donbted whether the federal have
cognzsDce of such offences when committed BY Indians
vet Congress should nterpose and relieve the question
from all doubt
The sus Of warrants TO Indians, under the boanty land
laws has been suspended and unless Congress expressly
authorizes it, they viii hereafter be disaowed. IL
questionable whether the Indians engaged the service
Of the government in any Of wars severed intend
cd to sever their ction the tribes to which they
belonged so long they continue members Of tribe,
their individual appears to be merged In their tribal
character and whatever is due from the for
They are moreover in q state Of pupage; the govern
ment their guardian and bound to protect them against
the superior intelligence and ssgaciy of the white man
Although many warrants were issued previous to the
question ing brought to my notice. it may be safely as
sumed that with the exception of few Of the ockbr ges
nndsr he .crp or warrants issued s to him
There positive proof of the fact but 1t Is the De-
lief of those who have diligently inquired into it. that
wherever scrip warrants have been issued to Individual
Indians, they have been defrauded OF them.
If they are entitled TO any such gratuity, sound mo-
rsy well justice to them requires that some legal
and different provision be made.
1t is estimated that there were upwards OF thou
sand Indians whose military service might sntiss them
eighty acres each, the aggregate amount would exceed
560, coo acres.
The effort to remove the rem nant OF the Seminole In.
dams from Florida, through the fundamentally of q
special agent proved abortive notwithstanding 1t is al
legged that some $50 GOO were expended in the attempt
it supposed military force would be necessary to
effect their removal the duty was transferred to the War
Department
concur with the Commissioner Of Indian Affairs in
the recommendation that the Indians be colonized in
suitable locations OF limited extent, and distant from
white settlements In connection with it, system Of
educ,tien with their position and wants
should be introduced and efficiently prosecuted.
The agents in Texas desrous Of providing suits BILE
places for the Indians in that State many of the ndiins
the mselves ANXIOUS for the adoption of this system
and all would probably soon submit to it, Although the
agents have selected locations they cannot be fixed
without the consent CT and cesson by that State with
which arrangements should be made as soon as pract
cable.
The plan for removing the Indians in California TO Ave
military reservations of not more than twenty five thou
approved instructions for carrying into efiecl were
promptly given to the Superintendent OF Indian Affairs for
that State his success has not been such az was ex
pected difficulties presenting themselves which were not
anticipated 1t appears that suitable locations cannot
be made in the northern part of California for the In.
dams in that on Sufficient territory the pu pose
onging the general government cannot be found
ard in order to accomplish the object desgn d. it viii be
necessary to make extensive purchaser Of lands from
private individuals, at great expense
1t also questionable whe htr before the reservations
permanently made the State Should not grant to the
&C the right to exerc jurisdiction
them If the plan adopted is to be pursued it should be
enlarged, greater powers given for its execution and
more pie means provided foi its successful operation
II is subject which deferyes the prompt attention
ard speedy acton OF Congress.
Immediately alter taking charge Of the department.
instructions 10 be issued to the superintendents
ard agents Of the Indians to Fay the rnuis to them
per capita unless contrary to treaty stfuations and in
no to pay any portion to other cisns or attor-
reys Experience has taught the wisdom Of this measure,
and p. rsuaded has prevented much fraud and
fair dealing II continued, it will tend to Danish that
v6s so from
tised upon him.
If The Indian has just claims against the government it
is the duty of the Indian Bureau and those under its
troll TO examine into the and when asceraned to press
their speedy adjustment. Congress will 90 them justice
when the facts are properly brought to their notice and
confederation.
The system Of cash annuity payments, except to few
Of the semi cylised coonized tribes should as far as
Of hui bandy should be tituted and educstion and
the arts OF civilization generally encouraged They
know rot especially the hunter tribes the proper
value Of money The mere drawing together of large
bodies Of men, and children to receive their
nuites is detrimental to their habits health and morals
and the money may DO viewed IS an actual bonus for their
destruction.
One Of the most prominent characteristics of the Indian
especially in the huE ter State imJ surfet
stantpg the vast amount Of goods and money annually
distributed among thsm they are often reduced to the
greatest extremity and it is feared sometimes actually
perish for want of food and clothing TIE quantity furnish
cd believed to be ample but the MODE of distributing
fails to accomplish the object INTENDED. TO obyiate
tie difficulty and remedy this great evil it has been sag
gested that ith the assent OF the Indians sorehousss
might be established at suitable points in their midst
from which the agents Of the could distribute
goods and proviors equivalent to the amount st
in tie treaties in quantities and to individuals needed
with such ard ammunition might be judicious
There is much o-ce in the and the cost G the
experiment would be trfng The comfort and preserva
ton of the Indian requires that different method from
that heretofore pursued shoulo be adopted The only OBJ
.tacs in the of Immediately testing the plan propos
ed is the existing 1eass and the difficulty Of obtaining
the consent OF the Indians 30 long "a they are influenced
by those having an adverse interest
present syste the Indian has NOT for many past
advanced in morality integrity intelligence The pic
tuts drawn in many OF the reports OF his exalted condi
ton superior intelligence and increasing knowledge have
been too highly colored Much Of the philanthropy and
charity manifested for them has been wrongly directed
Their condition is truly deplorable.
In the act for the organization Of the Territory OF
Washington, provision made for the appointment
OF Indian agents to reside therein advert to the fact
to the end that the omission may be supplied.
The operations Of the Census Office have been conform
ed to the provisions of the joint resolution OF the last SEES
The present superintendent has exhibtsda most COM
mendable spirit entering upon the discharge Of his duties
with laudable ZEAL in which he has been emuiated by
most Of his Clerks and by their combined industry skill
and intelligence the work has been nearly Concluded and
there yet remains unexpeDded of the last appropriation
for Census purposes upwards of sixteen thousand dollars
that copies may be laid the tables OF the members
on the assembling ofCongreas.
The terinte ndent proposes to make further report
which, have doubt viii contain suggestions Of inte
rest and importance.
nothing further has been done with that part OF the
Mexican boundary survey, which lies west Of the so
teri ed initial point the Rio Grarde. The appropria
ton did not apply to it nor was any portion OF intended
exLenced. The question Of the southern boun-
cary Of New Mexico having become subject OF negota
ton between the two governments has been transferred
to the state Department
The work in The field the untsputed portion OF the
boundary has been pe.ed and nothing remains to
done but the ofice work.
Much progress has been made in this and with sde-
quate appropriation it can be finished in the Of
the next eighteen months the data necessary to
pare aud reduce the observations for nsude made by
the surveyor and his assistants, can be obtained
The maps after they lare completed, to he COM
pared with the Mexican maps and signed by the Con mis-
soner and Surveyor. As the Mexican commission has
progressed less rapidly and II is uncertain when its work
will be finished commission should not expire bsfore
the maps fully completed and sgnee asresabl7 the
luations OF the treaty The act OF 1858 should lie mod
fed accordingly.
It is undsrstood that agreement entered into
be the former commissioner (Mr BARTLETT and the
Mexican commissioner, by which the joint connie sion
to the frs. day Of April next in the city OF
Mexico The department dots know the object OF this
arrangement but presume is necessary to perfect the
survey.
the city of Mexico is far remote from the boundary
itself and possesses few Of the facilities for prose.
cutting or expecting the work, even If the Mexi-
commission could be prepared, IL would cause
great telsy, and cost government large and
useless expenditure Of money. The surveyor, how