Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-17

r. given to the snnsrntsndc Indian affairs for that
State His success has not zen suen as was expected
difficulties PRESENTED thepselyes when were not antic
pated pappears that suitable locations cannot De made
In the rthern pars u California for the Indians in that
regor Sufficient territory for the purpose belonging
the General Government cannot be found and In order
60 accomplish the object designed il will be necessary
make extensive purchases of lands from private ndy
duas at great expense IL is also objectionable whether
before the reservations permanently made the State
should grant to the General Government the right to
exercise jurisdiction them III the plan adopted IS
to be pursued it should be enlarged greater powers given
for its execution and ample provided for its
successful operation 1t subject which deserves the
prompt attention and speedy action of Congress
Immediately after taking charge of this Department
caused instructions be issued the superintendent and
agents of the Indians to pay the annuties to them per
capita unless contrary to treaty spulatops, and IN no
case to pay any portion other claimants attorneys
Experience has taught the wisdom of this aud
am persuaded it has prevented much fraud and unfair
dealing If continued it will tend to Danish that Keeling
of asperity often exhibited by the Indian towards the
white man. arising from the receptions practised upon
him.
If the Indians have just claims against the Government
it the duty of the Indian Bureau and those under its
control to examine into them, and when ascersaned to
press their speedy adjustment. Congress will do them
justice when the facts are properly brought to their no.
tice and consideration.
The system of cash annuity payments except few
of the semi civzed coolzed tribes should as far as
practicable be abolished Goods, provisions implements
of husbandry should be substituted and education and
the arts Of civilization generally encouraged They
know not especially the hunter tribes the proper use or
value .Hvy uha n,ere IIu"ius together of large bo-
dies Of men, women and children to annui-
ties is detrimental to their habits, health and morals,
destruction.
One of the most prominent characteristics Of the In
dan especially in the hunter state, is mprovidence
surfet to-day followed by famine tomorrow hence
notwithstanding the vast amount of goods and money
nuay distributed among them, they often reduced to
the greatest extremity, and, it Is feared sometimes
tually perish for want of food and clothing The guam
tty furnished is believed be ample but the mode of
distribution fails to accomplish the object intended To
obvate the difficulty and remedy this great evil it has
been suggested that with the of the Indians
houses might be established at suitable points in their
midst from which the agents Of the Government could
distribute goods and provisions equivalent the
stipulated in the treaties in quantities and to individuals
needed, with such and ammunition might be
judicious. There is much force in the suggestion and
the of the experiment would be tring The comfort
and preservation of the Indian require that different
method from that heretofore pursued should be adopted
The only obstacle in the way of Immediately testing the
plan proposed is the existing treaties and the difficulty Of
obtaining the consent of the Indians so long they
Influenced by those having adverse interest
1t folly to attempt to conceal the fact that under the
present system the Indian has not for many past
advanced in morality integrity, orintelgence The pic
lures drawn in many of the reports of his exalted cond
ton superior intelligence and increasing knowledge have
been too highly coored. 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 Wash
ngton no provision made for the appointment of In
dian agents to reside therein advert the fact to the
end that the omission may be supplied
The operations of the Census Office have been conform
cd the provisions of the joint resolution of the last
sion of Congress The present Superintendent has exhi
bited most comnendable spirit Entering upon the dis
charge of his duties with audabc ZEAL in which he has
been emulated by most of the clerks and by their
bined industry, Skill and intelligence the work has been
nearly concuded and there yet remains unexpended of
1a1o
teen thousand dollars. The census volume it is now
hoped, will be completed that copies may be laid
the table of the members the assembling of Congress-
The Superintendent proposes to make further report
which, have doubt viii contain suggestions Of nte
rest and Importance.
Nothing further been done with that part Of the
Mexican boundary survey whchis Of the soermed
initial point the Rio Grande. The appropriation did
not apply to it. any portion Of it intended to be
expended,
The question of the southern boundary of New Mexico
having become subject of negotiation between the
Governments has been transferred the State Depart
ment.
The work in the field the undsputed portion Of the
boundary has been completed and nothing remains to be
done but the Office work. Much progress has been made
in this, and with adequate appropriation it be fin
shed in the of the next eighteen months if the
data necessary TO compare and reduce the observations
for longitude made by the surveyor and his assistants
can be obtained The maps, after they completed,
are TO be compared with the Mexican maps and signed by
the commissioner and surveyor. As the Mexican com
mission has progressed less rapidly and it is uncertain
when its work will be finished, commission should not
expire before the maps fully completed and signed,
agreeaby to the stpulatons of the treaty The act Of
1858 should be modified accordingly.
1t is understood that agreement was entered into
between the former commissioner MIR Bartlet) and the
Mexican commissioner, by which the joint commission
to meet the first day of April in the city of
Mexico The Department does know the object Of this
arrangement but presumes it perfect the survey
As the city OF Mexico is far the boundary IL
SELF and possesses few Of the facilities for prose-
cutting expediting the work. if the Mexican
mission could be prepared it would cause great delay
and cost Government large and useless expenditure
Of money. The surveyor, however not present nor
did he approve the agreement Had he done So il would
by law to expire the rst day Of January 1853 Even
under the present law the proposed meeting take
place the st day of April 1854 nasmuch as our com
mission expires by law on that very day
There yet remains unpaid number Of debts of the last
commission on this survey, which of pressing
character and should be paid The required to
quidate them cannot Mt present be ascertaned When
the necessary information is received appropriation
will be asked for.
Great credit is due to the present commissioner and
surveyor, and the employees under them They have
acted tremendously and discharged their duties faithfully
pshed in some seven months what it supposed would
require much longer time, and have also kept within
the limit Of the appropriation
have inspected the progress Of the maps and drawings
Of the survey and, being satisfied that their publication
will impart valuable information and illustrate the ply
steal geography of extensive region Of country
little known, recommend that Congress make provision
for the commencement of the engravings for the work.
under the supervision of this Department.
Under the appropriation of $50 600, the construction
Of bridge the Potomac the Little Falls
placed under the management and supervision Of an Off