The daily union., 1854-12-14
PUBLIC DOCUMENT.
REPORT Oh rHE COMMISSIONERS 90 tS.
DIAN AFFAIRS.
DFrANfNtSf % ras isttma
OtiiUe Indian Anairt. sat. u. ista

SIR; submit tOr your consideration M usgai uhuuai
report from this branch OF the public service rerfns b.
the accompanying reports q the disersni sunndsnt
agents. subagonis and other commauoatoaS o. dstais
information respecting the operations q ne depasiusnt
ana the condition Of the various indian tiiies
The remnants Of the "Sx Nations rclnainlng IN the
State of New York. present the interesting spectacle Of
of the most renowned portions Of the aboriginal 81
this continent still adbcring with traditional sascy and
veneraton TO the homes Of their forcather Subjected
many trying and adverse ycssitudcs by whish their
bers and territorial possessions have been greatly dmn
shed this barbnrous and heather people devoted
only and the chase have undergone gatifyng
change and generally acknowledge, aud partially
practise the ennoblng and beneficial principles and
pursuits of Christianity aud civilization Internal dascn
sons alluded TO in former reports have materially inter
ered with their advancement and welfare bat these a
hoped will all cease and hereafter be renewed
The peculiar and unfortunate situation Of the Indians
in the State of Michigan consisting mainly Of the conic
Grated bands OF 0towas and Chppewas, fully stated
last year. and the deemed best for their prscrya
ton and welfare suggested IL is requisite that there be
conventional arrangements with them providing
material changes in their affairs, and In their relations
with the United States and the State oMichgan Such
rangcments could not be Effected without or less
expense and the application of the department the
Of ten thousand dollars appropriated therefor by
Congress But in consequence of the late period at which
the appropriation was made and other circumstances
has been deemed advisable to postpone further proceedings
until the next year.
By the convention with the Menomonees Of the 2th Of
May last they renqush their right to large tract Of
country in Minnesota of the Mississippi river set
apart for their home by the treaty of 5ss but
which proving to be unsuitable for that purpose,
therefore unacceptable them In exchange therefor they
confirmed in the possession of portion Of the tract
the Wolf and Oconto rivers in Wisconsin, which, with
the of the authorities of that State had been assigned
for their use and to which they had removed The tract
granted them by the treaty of ls4S guaranteed
tain not less than six hundred thousand acres that
cured to them by the convention Of May last embraces only
hundred and seventysix thousand four hundred and
eighty acres and is deemed TO be than ample for
their comfortable accommodation The lands retrooeded
by hem though suitable for their purposes will be
equally valuable to the government not more than
those granted in exchange
In consideration of the great difference in the quantities
of the lands thus exchanged and because it was believed
that the consideration stipulated for the lands they had
been induced to cede by the treaty of S4S inadequate
in addition the pecuniary and other beneficial provisions
of that treaty which continued to them the sum of
hundred and fifty thousand dollars stipulated
be paid in fifteen annual instaments commencing with the
year 1861 when the payments in fulment of the treaty
of 184s will expire This consideration increased by
the Senate in the additional of nneytwo thousand
six hundred and eghysx dollars making the aggregate
amount of two hundred and ortytwo thousand six hun
dred and eghtysx dollars Having thus been permanent
ly and literally provided for and all of dis
content removed it is hoped and believed that in few
years the Menomonees will exhibit evidences Of moral
and social advancement,
The department has been perpexed and embarrassed by
the refusal of that portion of the Stockbrdge Indians of
Wisconsin, parties TO the treaty of ls4a to accept the
of land selected for them in accordance with that
treaty. and to which selection they at time gave their
assent They are pretend TO be- anxious to remain
where they are, Lake Wnnehago: and individual
members of the band have repeatedly visited this city to
urge arrangement to that effect For stated in
my special report to you of the 25h ultimo their appca-
ton could not be granted The only alternative to
be to find them suitable home within the limits of Wis
consn and they require but very small tract this
be accomplished without prejudice to the interests of
the white population of the State II should not be done
however, without making provision for all belonging to the
bandhose parties to the treaty of lS48, and those who
not including also their brethren the Munsees whose
rights and interests entirely disregarded in that
treaty 1t is much to be regretted that such arrange
men has not heretofore been effected the distracted
condition of these Indians and the uncertainty as to their
future Destination have been of serious injury to Them
recent personal visit disclosed manifest evidences of
former state of advancement and prosperity far beyond
what they enjoy.
The only other Indians having territorial rights in Wis
the band OF Oneidas who occupy small
walton Green Bay and far advanced in cvili
ton to justify the presumption that like the Brother
TONS they will at distant day, dissolve their tribal
ganizaton and become citizens
There are however, within the limits of Wisconsin, and
also within the northern peninsula of Michigan, few
small bands of the Chppewas of Lake Superior who still
occupy their former locations lands ceded by the trca
ties Of 1887 and 1912 1t has not thus far been found ne
cessary practicable to them They very
willing to renquish their present residences all the
other bands of the Indians and may be necessary
to permit them all to remain in order to acquire ceson
of the large tract of country they still east of the Mis-
sisspp, which, account of its great mineral resources
is an object of material Importance to obtain They
would require but small reservations and thus permanent
Y settled the efforts made for their improvement will be
rendered more efectual.
The Chppewas who reside in Minnesota, west of the
MISSISSIPPI, is ueSr0uS OF ccdnp
any portion Of their country west of that river is
such cesson at this time deemed absolutely necessary
far the wants of citizens Immediately concerned
yet in view of the rapid spread of population in that di
recton, and of the future interests of the Indians them
selves it believed that early opportunity should be
embraced to crcumscribe their limits and to concentrate
them upon permanent locations recommended for their
brethren the side There also bands of Chip
pewa Indians residing in the region north OF the head
waters of the Mississippi who, from the mperiecon Of
former treaties do not participate in their benefits and
therefore in very destitute condition Some arrangement
should be made TO them the of subsistence
and Improvement
1t having been found that the country proposed to be
given to the Winnebagoes by the agreement made with
them last year, for exchange of lands would in many
respects be improper location for them, ii
mended by the department that the agreement should be
amended to assign them location the southern
branch of the Crow river, to include Red Cedar Island
lake.
The amendment which was adopted by the Senate au-
thorized the assignment of this location them
ysabe reconnaissance OF the country having thus
been rendered necessary the arrangements for the
establishment of these Indians, unfortunately for
them, have not yet been consummated.
The difficulties connected with relations with the
Sioux Indians of Minnesota were year ago, explained
the last annual report of serious character but they
have happily been surnounted. Congress having at its
late session. confirmed to these Indians the reservations
originally intended for them by the treaties of 1851
ures promptly adopted for concentrating them there
and for commencing system OF operations calculated
TO domcsticate and improve them.
During the past articles of agreement and con-
vention were concluded with the Omaha Otoe and Mis-
souria Sac and Fox of Missouri, Iowa. Kickapoo, Della
ware Shawnee Kaskaskia Peoria, Wea Piankeshaw and
Miami Indians all residing within the central superintend
ency in the newly organized Territories of Nebraska
and Kansas These tribes possessed lands bounded the
by the western boundaries of the States of Missouri