Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-06

The committee then proceeded to consider the bill Of
the House to provide for the extngushment Of the title
Of the Chippewa Indians to the gns owned and claimed
by them in the Territory of Minnesota and State Of Wis
i consn, and for their domestication and civilization
Mr.. ORR said that the Committee on Indian Affairs,
who reported this BILL unanimously recommended its
passage proposed to introduce feature into our
Indian relations. 1t was not however, without prece-
dent in indicating to the Executive the and terms
upon which treaties with Indian tribes should be nego-
uated On the contrary, there several precedents
The propositions CONTAINED in the bill had been sug
gesed by many persons who reside within the limits OF
the Territory of Minnesota Ii passed. far he was
informed it would meet the sanction Of al the white set
tiers in the immediate vicinity of these Indians
1t authorized the President to enter into negotiations
with the Chppewas for the purpose of extingushng their
title to all the lands owned W them in the Territory Of
Minnesota and small portion in the State of Wisconsin
When their title should be sxtnguished proposed to
allow to each Indian the head of family eighty
reservation and HOMESTEAD. The object was to set
tie the Indians in the midst OF the Whites for they had
been found be valuable laborers in the immediate
vicinity of Lake Superior, where they reside Their
labor had already been concerted into very useful chan
nels in digging copper and in performing the duties
of menals The community, therefore, desired them to
be retained among them.
The BILL he repeated directed the President to allow
each head Of family eighty acres, and for the purpose
Of guarding the Indians against frauds by the whites
hereafter it made these reserved lands lnG!leIa
bic, until Congress should otherwise enact.
The Gnnutes for the lands the title Of which was to
be extinguished were be paid either in money at
the discretion of the President in goods provisions,
Of subsistence. portion of the annues was also
be expended in clearing and fencing the lands reserved
and in erecting cabins for the comfort and convenience Of
the Indians. The bill also provided that the annuities
due should be paid in the same manner should the
Indians consent thereto
His impression was that if the contemplated system
should be carried into effect 1t would be found to work
we'll. The old plan had been fruitful of much evil and
had retarded the progress Of the Indians in the scale
of civilization The money given the Indians was spent
by them almost they received it, and during
the remainder OF the year they were but scant fed and
very frequently suffered from hunger and want.
The territory proposed to be acquired very extern
sive and valuable 1t embraced very large portion of
the copper region situated in the Territory OF Minnesota
which now belonged to these Indians.
Mr.. HEM inquired the area of the country?
Mr.. ORR not prepared to answer the question but
thought the Delegate from Minnesota could inform the
gentleman
Mr.. RICE said twenty-five millions Of acres.
MIR. DUNHAM spoke in favor Of the BILL regarding it
of the most Important propositions which had
been introduced having for its object the civilization Of
the Indians.
Mr. RICE also favored the BILL when considerable de-
bate ensued on amendments in which Messrs HAVEN,
HOUSTON, LETCHER, GREENWOOD, WASHBURN, Of
Maine, and SHELTON participated
The BILL after having been amended, then laid aside
reported the House with the recommendation that
| it pass.
The bill to increase the salaries of executive and judi
ciary officers in Oregon and New Mexico next con-
sidered
Numerous amendments were offered to the bill and
long debate ensued whcn without dsposng of the sub
ec the committee and reported its action to the
| House.
And the House adjourned.