The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-05-15

The Bill to provide tor the eXtlngulshment
of the title of the Chippewa Indians to the
lands owned and claimed by them in the Ter
ritory of Minnesota and State of Wisconsin,
and for their Domestication and Civilization,
being in regular order before the House of
Representatives on the LIST of May, gave rise
to an interesting discussion which we contlensc
for the benefit of our readers
After the Bill had been road, Mr.. ORR re-
Marked
This Bill proposed to introduce new fea-
ture in our Indian relations. The propositions
contained have been suggested by many per-
SONS who reside within the limits of the Terri
tory of Minnesota ; and will, | am informed if
the OH passes, meet the sanction Of the white
settlers in the immediate vicinity Of the In
dams. 1t proposes that the President shall
enter into negotiations with the Chippewa In
dians, for the purpose of eXtinguishing their III
tie to the lands which they own in the Terrific
ry OF Minnesota, and to Il small portion in the
State OF Wisconsin.
1t further proposes that when their title
shall have been eXtinguishcd, to make Il grant
of eighty acres of land to each Indian who is
the head of a family as homestead. The OBJ
jcct is to interest the Indians in the actual cul-
tivation of the soil. We are informed that
those who reside in the vicinity of Lake Supc-
rlor have been found to be valuable labOrcrs.
Their labor has been already turned into very
useful channels, in digging copper ore, and i'll
dIsclar@ing the duty of mcnials The commit
tee desire that they shall be allowed to remain
on their own lands. and cultivate the same !;
and we are Informed that such is the desire Of
the people of Minnesota.
The bill directs the President to allow each
head Ola family the reservation of eighty acres ::
and for the purpose of guarding against any
fraud which may be attempted to be practiscd
now or hereafter, on the Indians by the whites,
the bill makes this reserved land inalcnablc in
the hands Of the Indians until Congress shall
otherwise direct
1t also contains further stipulation, that
the annuitics which are proposed to be paid
these Indians, for their title to the remainder
of their lands shall be paid either in money
or, if, in the discretion Of the Prcsidel it W IL
be more conducive to their interest, in goods
provisions, or means of subsistence.
The President is also authorized to cXpcnd
a portion of the money which may be due
these Indians, to have their lands cleared, f.nc
ed, and cabins erected for their comfort and
convenience.
the bill had been discussed. and very generally
apprcv H. made some remarks. from which We
extract:
Some little attention to this subject has con
WINGED me that more frauds are perpetratcd up
on the Indians. under the system Of pawn" to
them their annuiticS in cash, when gathered to
octhcr at a specified place and time than in
al, Gu, other wav. There is rot single Indian
trader, in the whole western country, who ;!"'s
not know the exact moment when the payment
from the Government is to c made to these
| Indian tribes They know tn agent who is
to pay, and when and where he is to pay, and
| they follow him. as sharks are said to fOllnw Il
vessel upon which is sickness and death, for
like purpose, that Of Selling their prey.
If you make the payment in money to The
Indians. the traders are on hand with their
trinkctS, toys, spirtuous liquors. and other
things useless or worse than useless. to cX-
change with them for the money as soon as it
is paid.
Mr.. RICE responded to the speech of Mr.
Durham, as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, I wish to say few words in ref.
to the last portion Ct the second section.
concur with the gentlemen from Indiana. Mr.. Dun
HAM,] in all that he has said excepting what he has
observed in relation to Indian traders. Having my
self been for many years, prepared to give
an opinion the subject l would cxDain to
the committee the condition of the Indians l have
lived among them for years. Most Of them live along
the line of the British possessions and in very cold
country. Very few of them have received ann,ities.
They are so lar as money and trade are concerned
mere children. II money be appropriated for them,
say that it will be ANTICIPATED, every dollar of it,
before it reaches their county. They will cease
their hunts. Their Iabors will stop, and indoen,Iy
oumsing about the whisky shops, they will anticipate
the receipt of the money be raid them. If they
can get credit for dollar to the full amount,
for times the amount they to receive, they
will take it. When the money reaches there, of
course they will see but little of it; consequently af
ter the paymcn, they are rs poor as before. Thus
they viii 90 from day to day, looking for
ward for moment beyond the next payment.
The object Of thu, clause is to leave the diSci ction
in the hands of the President, of such agents rs
he may appoint, to change their annuties as they
progress in civilization. At first we would not give
the Indian hat and boots; he would want the money
expended in moccasins and blankets. Next year he
would want cloth. The year after he would want
boots and shoes, hats and coats He is to be led on
step by step. all past history has shown nations
brought from barbarism to civilization. In few
years he will want a cow yoke of cattle, house;
and this clause of the bill leaves the power in the
proper authorities to expcnd the money to
the necessities of the advancing strides of the savage
towards civilization. Therefore hore that it will
not be stricken out. 1t may he amended, and per-
haps proGably amended.
Mr.. WAsHBURNE, of Illinois.-Iet me ask the
gentleman whether, in his opinion, it would not bc
better to pay the annuitics these Indians without
communication!
Mr.. RICE.-No, sir.
Mr.. WAsHBURNE.--Wouldn not the amuities be
squandrred by the Indians once instead of their
receiving something every year!
Mr.. RIcE.-As understand, the bill proposes to
pay the Indians from time to time, their necessi-
ties may require.