The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-07

Military Academy Of the United StAtes" &C., asreeyel
70 the Constructions put upon H. requires the dspAosat
to invest AL held in trust for Indian tribes In
There are nov funds in the Treasury to consderAhis
amount arising from accrued interest," lands &c which
would b. good policy to invest but In view Of the fact
that United States stocks held at very high plee
in comparison with safe State stocks bearing like rate
Of interest," and inasmuch the is tssf
has been deemed best await the approaching a
Congress- in the hope thatt will take such action
be necessary 70 extend the authority and option Of the
secretary OF the Interior in regard to the investment
the moneys of Indian tribes.
The fifth, and BY limitation of law the last volume
OF the work containing information relative to the his
tory present condition and prospects OF the Indian
tribes I'M the United States press aud IL hopeA
viii be ready for distribution before the close Of The
deem 1t proper to call attention to the claims q
Indiana to land bounty for military services rendered -
the United States. Underline act Of September 1850
considerable number of such claims presented and
allowed but decision having been made that Indians
Just, remaining unsatisfsd. The subject not havia9
been under the jurisdiction of this Office not sp-
Rrsed Of the particular grounds Of that decision but
and it is but just that all should be compensated fer
their services, would recommend such Legislation -
may be deemed necessary to secure them the value e
this right in money, and providing for the adjudicasn
OF their claims in this office.
In several Of the Western States and Territories
there are bands Of strolling Indians, who have,
from time to time become severed from the tribes
to (which they belong. They are generally in
white population They ought 10 be removed to their
tribal homes without delay other disposition
by win De as there are now no FUNDS
at the disposal Of the department applicable.
deem i my duty to call attention to recent trsnsac
ton of character clearly illustrating the proprety and
duty OF strictly adherng to the policy of exercising
far possible such supervision and control tho
moneys payable to the Indians viii to them
the full benefit thereof and prevent their being aeecsA
by designing men, under corrupt and iniquitous con-
licty they have been induced or seduced 10 sign or
the recog milton and allowance of claims and demands
gainst them having no foundation in right JUS
II having become known that the Menomonee In.
dams had manifested dissatisfaction with the treaty
made with them in 1S4S, and that they were pro-
stipulated for the lands which they thereby ceded
they induced to enter into contract with an
individual to prosecute claim against the goyernment
which might be recovered. About the time large
amount Of claims Of traders and others raked up
to be prosecuted against the Indians and to be paid out
of such sum; although fund had been set apart BY
the treaty Of 1S48 and applied by the Indians to the set
Element and payment OF their Indebtedness and which
doubtless considered amply sufficient to cover all
the just and valid claims against them. The compensa
ton for the prosecution and recovery Of these claims
against the Indians understood to be one-half the
amount recovered. The two transactions appA
renty in different hands, but there be doubt buf
they were the joint and partnership operations betwees
the appendix marked A, Be, D, EFF, 9, H. ], XII
M, and 0, Of which B, c, \, G and Il but recently
which your particular attention is caed) Letter is
copy Of an agreement with an individual who had hut
fore doubtless supposed to DO able exercise nfu
them by which for contingent compensation
of So he obligated to throw obstacle in the
way Of the ctions, but to aid and assist in
both, in obtaining the largest possible sur
from the government for ths Indians and
to be paid out Of that There was thus to be .
speculation Of considerable magnitude and Of three
fo,d character The government, the Indians and the
all TO be levied BY ingenuity and skilful cacula
ton the claim in behalf Of the Indians worked up
about ninety thousand dollars the third part Of the
and the MALT Of the other amounting to upwards Of two
hundred and eleven thousand doAars which, less tho
ten thousand dollars to DO paid under the agreement
mentioned was in of Of the scheme, to be
divided, mainly or entirely, between some three indi
vidua, making quite handsome fortune for each out
Of poor, miserable Indian tribe to say nothing q
the further drafts which would doubt have been
made on tho Menononee portion OF the fund If the plaa
had succeeded.
Having become satisfied from an examination into the
affairs Of the Menomonoes, and their relations wth3e
government that they justly entitled to sd
ditional compensation for the lands ceded by them
under the treaty of 1S4s in consequence of the
that treaty made and also that the country thereby
ssgned to them west of the Mississippi suitable
for them the supplee ntal article OF May H. 1851
erred 10 elsewhere, entered into by which sheys
given another and an acceptable home, and ad
ditional allowance made to them OF $50 0oo which
increased by the Senates amendment in the Of
ss2, $50; making the allowed to them $2t2, ESQ., to
te divided into fifteen annual instruments, commencing
with the year 1867: and which is solemnly and sacredy
pledged be paid and applied under the special direc
ton Of the President Of the United States 10 such
& their
And diversion OF this fund for purpose in the
slightest degree interfering with these great and ben
cent ends would be not less 1sgGceul to the govern
ment than il would be injurious to the Indians.
In the adoption Of this measure Of justice towards
these Indians the department acted upon the principle
announced in the last annual report and which take
occasion here to repeat-"Thnt there is no abss-
lutte necessity for the employment by Indian
tribes Of attorneys agents to attend to
their business the seat of government" and that in
their dependent condition. cit is the duty Of the govern
character with them be conducted to pre-
cude the necessity Of the intervention of this class Of
persons" The new arrangement with the Meuomonses
made not only without any such Intervention in
their favor but is well KNOWN contrary to the wishes
Of the or assumn to act az their sttcf
neys and in despite of such Influences they could
bring to bear against it, and yet these individuals have
had the and harhood to go into the country
ttously obtain from them the papers marked L. NJ and
N for the purpose Of s saa from them the
the payment Of an unjust and unfounded CLAIM
voluntarily made to- them through the instru-
mentality Of the department and the Senate,
and $751;. 436 "a for various other claims against them,
which in view of the settled policy OF the gove5nment
slightest degree bound TO recognize or
spect and which possibly are entitled TO al little con
sderaton the Of justice the other demand.
These sums, too, sought to be obtained from the
amount allowed by the supplemental agreement with
these Indians which, alrespy stated, is otherwise
sacredy Pledged and which cannot be diverted without
a violation Of pughted faith and justice. cannot for
bear expressing the hope that all persons having any
agency Of the administration Of Indian affairs whether
connected with the Executive Legislative departments
Of the government hereafter will resolutey set
their faces against and frown down all attempts to
cure the allowance payment OF such unauthorized and
improper demands against the Indians.
For his cupab disregard of the policy of the depart
ment and his duty towards the Indians In having any
thing to do with these proceedings the subagent who
certified and authenticated Of the papers last refer
red TO- has been summary dismissed from office.
The instruments marked NJ and the schedule, are
in the handwriting Of Of the individuals whose
Is attached TO the contingent contract with the late
subagen and the interpreters and other persons whs
attest the execution OF NJ 10 receive of the funds
pretended to be assigned and appropriated by the In
dams by virtue OF the same to themselves and their as
signs the sum Of 3l1 95 they being without excep
n ~lsnu