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

civil government be established, and the coun-
try opened for settlement.
The commissioner held councils with every
tribe whom he visited, and disclosed to them
the object of his journey to their country. He
found the Indian mind in an unfavorable con-
diton to receive and calmly consider his mes
sage. For some time previous to his arrival
in the Indian country, individuals from the
States had been exploring portions OF 1t, with
the intention, rs was understood, of attempting
to make locations and settlements. The dis
cussion of the subject, and the exploration of
the country by citizens of the States, alarmed
and excited the Indians. Some of them were
proposing grand council, at which it was de-
signed to light up the old Indian fires, and
confederate for defence against the white peo-
pie, who, they believed, were coming in force
to drive them from their country, and to occupy
1t without their consent, and without considera-
ton. Under such circumstances it was very
difficult to quiet the Indians or divest their
minds Of an impression that the commissioner
visit was not in some way or other intended to
aid the whites in forcible occupation OF the
country. As he progressed in his journey,
and conferred with the tribes, the difficulty was
gradually removed.
With but few exceptions, the Indians were
opposed to selling any part OF their lands, as
the commissioner Finally, however, many
tribes expressed their willingness to sell, but
on the condition that they could retain tribal
reservations on their present tracts of land
This policy was deemed Objectionable, and not
to be adopted if it could be avoided; and with
such tribes the time Of treating was deferred
until next spring, with the hope that the In
dams by that time might see that their per-
manent interests required an entire transfer
of all their lands, and their removal to new
home. Some tribes declined to dispose of any
portion; and all, with the exception OF the Wy.
andotts and Ottawas, who expressed an opinion
on the subject Of an organization OF civil gov.
eminent in that territory, were opposed to the
measure. They have, with but few exceptions
very crude and unintelligible idea OF the
"white mans laws" deeming them engines O
tyranny and oppression, and they dread as
well as fear them. Before the commissioner
left the country, quite change was perceptible
among the Indians; and it is believed that
with but few exceptions, the tribes will next
spring enter into treaties and dispose of large
portions of their country, and some OF them
will sell the whole of their land. The idea Of
retaining reservations, which seemed to be gene
rally entertained is not deemed to be consist.
ent with their true interests, and every good
influence ought to be exercised to enhghten
them on the subject. If they dispose of Their
lands, no reservation should, if it can be
avoided, be granted or allowed. There are some
Indians in various tribes who are occupying
farms, comfortably situated, and who are II
such an advanced state of civilization, that i
they desired to remain, the privilege might
well, and ought perhaps to be granted, ane
their farms in each case reserved for the
homes. Such Indians would be qualified t
enjoy the privileges of citizenship. But t
make reservations for an entire tribe on thu
tract which it now owns, would, it is believed
be injurious to the future peace, prosperity, ant
advancement of these people. The commits
sioner, as far as he Judged it prudent, endeav
ored to enlighten them on this point, and la
bored to convince them that it was not consis
tent with the true interest of themselves and
their posterity that they should have tribal
reservations within their present limits. :,
The condition of the Indians located west
of Missouri and Iowa is not as prosperous, or
their advance in civilization as rapid, as the
official reports annually received from that part
of the country would authorize us to expect
In several tribes are to be found some edu.
Gated, intelligent men and many are able, by
the cultivation of the earth, to subsist them
selves. Among these classes there are some
sincere professors Of religion; but the mass o.
the Indians are indolent and Incorporate, anc
many of them are degraded and debased.
The transplanting Of these Indians and thu
dedication Of their present country to their use
and for their future home, was an emanatior
of the purest benevolence and the dictate o
humanity. Vast sums of money have been ex
pended by the government for the sustenance
comfort, and civilization of these unfortunate
people, and the missionary has occupied tina
field Of labor long and faithfully; but, notwith
cfap oil hat hos haar, hufb arn
ment and good men, the experiment has mea
surably failed. Located generally on large tracts
ofands, separated into small and distinct bands,
roaming at will and wandering in ideness, the
mass of these tribes are in degraded state,
with no hope of considerable degree of re-
formation, (even with such improvements as
are practicable in their present management
without change of residence. Their opn
ions, habits, customs, and pursuits, which pre-
sent an almost insurmountable obstacle to their
change from primitive state, find now but
little resistance while the advice of the agent
and the efforts Of the teacher and divine, are
counteracted, to very great extent by infu
ences of an adverse character, and which it il
presumed will predominant so long as these
Indians are permitted to remain where the,
now reside.
The acquisition of Texas, New Mexico, ant
our Pacific possessions, and the vast annua
emigration which passes through the Indiar
country and over the Indian reservations, OF
its journey thither, and which was not antici
pated at the time the Indians we're located
there, render it absolutely necessary that they
be placed out of the paths of the emigrants as
far as practicable. The interests of both re
quire it. In the present condition of the Ind
an, no good results to him from his contact
with the emigrant; while the latter is always
embarrassed on his journey and frequently in
jured by the presence of the former.
Except the Wyandotts and Ottowas, who
have few simple laws, all the Indian tribes
north of the Cherokee line are without any pre-
scribed form of government. The intercourse
act, it is believed, extends no protection to the
emigrants; and this adventurous and valuable
class of our people is therefore unprotected
while in the Indian country. This state Of
things ought not to exist. The intercourse act
if amended, and its provisions extended tc
them would still be inefficient if not a dead