Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-23
Bublit 90famsnt.
Report Of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Office Indian Afairs, Nor. 26, 1853.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Office Indian Affairs, Nor. 26, 1853. /.
Sir: I have the honor to submit general
view of the present condition Of our Indian re-
lations, and statement of the operations of this
branch of the public service during the past
year.
Referring to the accompanying reports of
the different superintendents, agents, and other
persons employed for the benefit of the Indians,
for more detailed and specific information in
regard to their present condition and prospects,
would remark that peace and tranquility have
prevailed generally among the emigrated and
other tribes along the extensive inner frontiers,
from Lake Superior and our northern bound
airy to Texas, with whom we have conventional
relations and intercourse Of long standing. In
regard to these more remote, and more re-
Gently brought under the supervision Of the
department, fewer occurrences of a painful ma
| ture have been reported than might have been
anticipated.
| The whole number of Indians within our
limits is estimated at 100000. About $4,000
vet linger in some of the States east of the
Mississippi river principally in New York,
Michigan, and Wisconsin the remainder, con-
sisting Of Cherokees, Choctaws, and Seminoles,
being in North Carolina, Mississippi, and
Florida.
The number in Minnesota, and along the
frontiers of the western States to Texas, COM
prising mainly emigrated tribes, is estimated
at 100000; those of the plains and Rocky
mountains, and not within any Of our organ
lied Territories, at $4,000; those in Texas at
$4,000; those in New Mexico at $4,000; those
in California at 100000; those in Utah at
$4,000; those in the Territories of Oregon and
Washington at $4,000.
The unfortunate and distracting controversy
for some time existing among the Seneca In
dians. of New York, in regard to their form OF
government seems happily to have terminated;
the republican system, adopted by the majority
in l848, being apparently now acquiesced in
by the remainder, by whom it was long and
strenuously opposed.
The dictates of humanity and good policy
alike require the early and effective interposi-
ton Of the government in respect to the Indi
ans Of Michigan. These Indians some seven
thousand in number, are represented to be
divided into more than sixty separate commit.
mites, and are to be found in nearly every
county of the State. Many of them, being
without any settled places of habtation, and
gradually imbibing the worst vices of civiliza-
ton, are becoming vitiated and degraded, a
pest and nuisance to the neighborhoods
where they resort. In this unsettled, dispersed,
and otherwise unfavorable condition, nothing
can be done to reclaim and improve them.
Those Of their more fortunate brethren, who
have enjoyed the advantages of fixed locations,
present much more favorable aspect Most
of them have comfortable homes, and, under
the influence of the devoted efforts of several
Christian denominations, are gradually i'm
proving and acquiring the habits and tastes o
/ r. &c <1,o0 koka
stitution, they are entitled to citizenship OF
becoming qualified therefor by intelligence anc
good character, and abandoning their triba
connexion; and numbers have manifested Q
proper appreciation of this high privilege, and
i q laudable ambition to fit themselves for it.
| BY treaty, these Indians have the right to a
home west of the Mississippi, should they desire
to emigrate; but there is no prospect of their
ever b ing willing to do so, and the citizens OF
Michigan, it is understood, entertain no desire
| to have them expelled from the country and
home Of their forefathers. Suitable locations,
it is understood, can be found for them in the
State, where they can be concentrated under
circumstances favorable to their comfort and
improvement, without detriment to State or
individual interests, and early measures for
that purpose should be adopted.
A portion of the united tribes of Stockbridges
and Munsees, of Wisconsin, are under treaty
obligations to emigrate west of the Mississippi
river, but their removal has necessarily been
delayed, from want of adequate means to de-
fray the expense thereof and Of their years
subsistence. A further appropriation will there
fore be requisite. These Indians are few in
number and should not be disunited. AS soon
as it can be done, an effort should be made to
place them, and those Of their brethren, now
/ of fba wy oil rto
together.
| In l848 the Menomonees ceded their entire
country in Wisconsin, and agreed to remove to
another stipulated to be given them in Min
nesota west of the Mississippi. From this OBJ
dent of the United States, on the ground of
the unsuitability of the new country intended
for them; and with the appreciation of the
proper authorities of Wisconsin, they were as
| signed and removed to remote portion of the
extensive tract which they had cedcd, en-
bracing about 345,600 acres. The information
in possession of the department leads to the
conclusion that this location is, in all respects,
suitable for them; and that they can probably
remain there for many years without interfer-
| ence with the advancement or interests of the
white population. If, however, this arrange
ment is to be of permanent character, new
convention with them viii be necessary for
their REIMBURSEMENT of the country given to
them by the treaty of l84S, and that the va.
rious beneficial provisions Of that treaty may
be made operative and applicable to them
where they are.
The 0neidas, of Wisconsin, have perma
nent location near Green Bay, where they will
probably remain, and eventually become citi-
tizens, as the tribe of Brothertowns has done.
The only other Indians in the State consist Of
few bands of those known as the Chippewas
Of Lake Superior, still living on lands hereto
fore ceded to the United States, but where it
has been thus far deemed proper to permit
them to remain, for reasons materially affecting
their preservation and welfare.
Should it be deemed necessary to continue
the superintendency created by the act Of 9th
February, 1851, heretofore confined to the In
dams in Wisconsin, it should be made to en-
brace also those in Michigan, and different
location assigned to the superintendent
The large and populous tribe of Chippewas,
the yreat body of whom are in minnesota st;li