Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-09-14

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wAsKUaToK NEWS AND GOSSIP.
1isstatsmsnt misunderstanding indians.
The Frsmsnt uowa) Gazette states that the
Government having neglected to comply with
treaty sipulations with the 0ttoe and Miss
ouri Indians, they are suffering the cravings
OF hunger, and have commenced ravaging the
gardens, and plupdering the whites soiourning
in Nebraska, of everything they can put their
hands upon. The Indians, when upbraided
for their breach of faith, state that their Great
Father had broken his pledge to them, and
they are compelled by hunger to break their
faith with the emigrants. The conduct of the
authorities of the United States, in this matter,
has been most reprehensible; and We cannot
see what excuse can be framed by them for
their tergivsrsations with the Indians''
The following abstract from the correspon.
dencs Of the Office of Indian Affairs, presents
true exhibit Of facts, showing that every
thing calculated to advance the interests of the
Indian tribes in Nebraska, within the power
Of the proper authorities of the government,
has been performed with promptness and fdel-
ity, particul arly with respect to the Ottoes and
Mssourias, viz:
On the 18th of March, 1854, q letter was
addressed by this Office to Superintendent
Cumming, of st. Louis, directing him to apply
| four thousand dollars out Of the improvement
| fund at the disposal of the President, in the
purchase of provisions for the Omahas, and
| to forward them to their destination in charge
Of Agent Gatewood, also the sum of twelve
hundred dollars out Of which to pay the costs
Of transportation, and appropriate the balance,
without delay, in preparing ground and plant.
ing crop for those Indians, and two thousand
dollars to be applied to the purchase of pro-
visions and transportation of the same, for tho
Ottoes and Missourias. He was also directed
to instruct Agent Gatewood, to use at once of
the funds in his hands, on account of farming
and agricultural implements, for the Ottoes
aud Missourias, such sum as may be necss.
sary In preparing ground and planting crop
for them.
A letter was received from Superintendent
Cumming, dated April 3, 1854, in which he
states that tho Omaha and Ottoe DELEGATIONS
arrived at st. Louis on the evening of tho I'd,
and he held consultation with them ON the
morning of tho Sd respecting the kind of pro-
visions NEST advantageous to them; but great
~ to his surprise they positively refused to
receive any provisions, alleging that it was
their understanding at the time Of signing
their respective treaties, that the amounts due
them were to be paid to their delegations in
money upon their arrival at St. Louis.
Superintendent Cumming was informed
Dy letter, of the 10th of April, 1854 that the
representations made to him by the Omaha
and Ottoe and Missouria delegates, and their
Interpreters, respecting tho payment Of ST, 800
due the Omahas, and $4,000 for the Ottoes and
Missourias, In money, upon their arrival at
st. Louis, were without foundation in fact,
and that no such promise was made to then.
The delegates, on several occasions, insisted
upon the payment in money of 81, 600 to each
delegation, and tho presentation of horse,
saddle, and bride to each delegate; the mo.
ney TO be considered as part payment on the
hrst installmsnt under the treaty, and the
horses, saddles, and brides, presents from
their Great Father" Invariably thew were
refused. They appealed to the President
He refused them. In fact, there was no fund
| out Of which they could have received a mart
OF the first installment; and even had there
been ~ treaties were not ,alltied, and until
they were, and an appropriation was made,
they could not be properly paid under any
stipulation therein. The $1,000 belonging to
the Omahas is part of the 81, 900 appropri-
sted in 1852, to be expended under the direc-
ton of the President, "for the relief and i'm
provement of said Indians" and the 81 600
for the Ottoes and Missourias were furnished
from the "proviSion fund" of this Office.
Neither of these sums, nor any part of them,
could be paid in money to the delegation, and
no promise to that effect was made them.
Unless they would consent to receive the
provisions a directed in the letter of the 25th
OF March last, the superintendent was directed
to suspend, for the present, the action in rela
ton to so much of that letter as was applica
BILE to the respective amounts
The nomination of James n. Gatevood. as
Agent for the Indians within the Council Bluffs
Agency, embracing the Ottoes and Missourias
having been rejected by the Senate, George
Hepner, of Iowa, was, on the 10th of Nav
last, appointed as his successor.
On the Sd Of May, 1854, the attention of
Superintendent Cumming was again called to
the disposition Of certain funds for tho relief
Of the Ottoes and Missourias, Omahas and Paw
nses, and he was directed to apply four thou
sand dollars for the relief of the Omahas,
under the Office instructions of the 25th of
March, 1854, and he was also directed to ex
pend three thousand dollars, in purchasing
provisions, groceries and powder, and trans
portation Of the same for the Ottoes and Mis-.
sourias
By letter Of the 9th of juno, 1854, Super
intendent Cumming stated that in consequence
Of not having heard from Agent Hepner, the
purchase of provisions were necessarily de.
lsyed. Immediately upon receiving the in
formation, telegraphic despatch was sent to
Agent Hepner, making inquiry respec ting bi.