The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-07-30


Congress directed special oqsnes inio these subjects
ia lsi7. The collection and preparation OF the mater
ais placed in the hands of Mr. Schoolersft, acting
under the Bureau Of Indian Affairs and the Secretary OF
War; tince transferred to the Interior and every author
y given entire authenticity in the facts
and statements published The results. Of which the
THIRD VOLUME is us published, remarkable for the
value. extent. and variety OF the information brought
forward. Every phasis in which the Indian could be-
viewed, in which light could be thrown his char
scter appears have been considered II has, indeed,
become State work. and the high state Of which
the text and It's illustrations have been given. supe
ror 10 all Irior congressional documents, has caused
quite a sensation, even abroad.
The object originally proposed is thus stated in the
annual report OF the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs,
Cs49, is5Oo
"The general condition and circumstances of the tribes
in the outline given will be found described in
the accompany ing and statements but the census
aud statistics being taken and collected In conformity
with the 9th section oil the act OF March - 1871, will,
addition numbers, according 10 families age, and
exhibit the actual conditions. means, and
with degree Of mnuteness and before
tanned. This information will be only OF much in.
rnsin interest. but properly used. Of practical value
in the administration OF the affairs Of this department. with
reference the moderation and i'm provement of the
don and OF tho several tribes immeda
y under That already received has a striking
manne developed OF the evils existing 10 Indian
system the of which could otherwise only be gues
ed The perncious effects the welfare pros
peritY OF tribe OF large money annuites have pain
fully demonstrated SO that In all future negotiations
Indian lands, The government will be It's trust
and TO all the dictates OF humanity If do strenuousy
endesvor 10 have large possible the pur-
chase money sc apart Tor such will have
tendency elevate and the condition of tribes
with which such negotiations held whether in
physical intellectual, or moral Point Of view Nor does
It's duty in this particular end here every exeron should
also be made to induce those Tribes which entitled
to receive large annually the applica-
ton Of reasonable portions purposes of that character
Efforts OF this kind have already been made with several
tribes, and with encouraging degree Of The
less Indians expectations and from
and from the in the shape of money
ties, the readily he be induced give up his idle,
dsolue. and savage habits, and labor for
maintenance and thus commence the transition from a
of barbarsm and moral depression OF cviZa
| ton and moral elevation H
I'm consequence OF the difficulty in making the Indians
pehend the object of the inquiries and their
ious disinclna,ion furnish information respecting the
selves their affairs unexpected delays have in
occurred in obtaining particulars desired The
opposition the has not been confined the
i'm proved tribes with which II supposed II would
with less favor Some Of those advanced cvliza.
ton and obstnatey have taken the
preston that the information desired for sinister
asd improper object having reference change their
present position interference in their domestic
In consequence Of this and other circumstances
complete yet been received, for
Of the most important tribes hoped, however.
the unfoundod and objections that
been made will be when IL will be in the
power of the department lay before Congress-
densed and classified form, OF Information in
teresng and OF practical value than any here
toiore collected in relation TO our Indian tribes
"The above referred to requires only
md statistics Of the Indian tribes, but also the
Of such material, will tend illustrate their history,
present coDdon, and future prospects. This Is duty
which Ourselves posteri,y the peculiar and
interesting people we have in great displaced,
and the world Its, however work OF time requiring
great and much effort and labor. This field OF inquiry
is very wide and the reliable materials that have
been published the world scsnty and incomplete Be
sides tho and imperfect traditions of the Indians
themselves, which have be Obtained, compared, and
anay zed there 10 much valuable information be had
from persons yet living, who have spent the greater portion
OF long lifs among different tribes, and made them
selves well acquainted with many interesting points In the
history, well with their habits, manners, customs
obsevsnces NC. Efforts have been made to obtain all
such information well enlist the cooperation
such individuals throughout the country OF
philosophical inquiry and investigation have turned their
cnton TO this highly interesting subject Much curious and
valuable material has alre sdy been collected and when
the of inquiry shall have been exhausted the de-
partmcn will be in possession Of large OF inlor
nation valuable in itself and Of singular incre oil who
have been hereafter be- led study the history
to reflect upon the destiny Of the aborgnes of this con
| nen."
Three quar,o volumcs-and they are volumes Of mark
have subsequently been published illustrated with plates
in the highest style OF eromoythosraphy and line en-
Craving steel, and exhibiting luxuriance OF typog.
rspby which is unique in The bibosraphy OF this coun
try. Yet, while these volumes exhibit such an excel
ence of type paper. and engraving, they the
es, volumes for their size published by Congress Dis
nc from the moderate preliminary cost Of collecting and
dsesng materials prior to 1881. the printing, paper
craving, and binding OF the volume sl4. oeI
Of the (Which has so pa,es 1000, and Of the
THIRD ST., ooo inclusive OF all contingencies whatever
winch is TO be added $1,000 paid for reproducing six
hundred copies OF volume one The entire edition or
dered by Congress but twelve hundred copies which
are distributed members OF Congress and official per-
sonsgos college libraries, foreign ministers, potentaes
office bearers. and learned associations abroad.
II 10 not proposed analyze these volumes for which
our limits inadequate The matter is systematically
presented, giving breadth TO the investigation which is
adequate to group all the phenomena, physical and
tai, which belong to it, These sections are general
history, mental type antiquities, geography OF the Indian
domain, their organizations BY tribes, intellectual ca
pacy physical type language state OF ancient art pres
ent condition, demonooxy. religion. &c. &C., and their
population and statistics. Materials OF most interesting
character put record respecting their medical
knowledge, nomenclature. geographical terminoogy &C.
the whole body Of Information being preparatory to taking